THE MAORI'S SALVATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 256, 29 October 1931, Page 6

THE MAORI'S SALVATION.

The Minister of Native .Affairs does .both races a service when he, says bluntly that-it is not sufficient for the Maori to be a picturesque survival—"a man of quaint poetry, customs and ceremonies." The country now expectsthe Maori to maintain himself. It is necessary that the white community should be reminded periodically that to be exhibited for the pleasure of tourists is no fit fate for the Maori. Even the sincere sentimental interest of the New Zealander, stimulated by ■: the Maori's wealth of poetry and legend, may do him harm> so we have this problem, that in a time wben scientific and general interest: in the picturesque side of Maori life-is increasing, it it all the more necessary that he should be encouraged to work like a European. We do not wish to see repeated in this country the tragedy of the American Indian. The land is the career for the Maori, and fortunately something substantial has already been done to set him on this road. "It is patent to even the casual-observer," says the annual report of the Native Department, "that the hope of being able to utilise their own lands has put fresh life and vigour into the Maori race." Sir Apirana Ngata's statement yesterday expounds this development, : (