MAORI RACE STUDY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 299, 18 December 1941, Page 6

MAORI RACE STUDY

AS 'VARSITY SUBJECT

A desire to have provision made in the Auckland University College for the study of anthropology, with special reference to the Maori and Polynesian races, was unanimously expressed by members of the Auckland Institute Council yesterday, when the question was raised by Mr. A. E. Pycroft. The Auckland background, as the centre of a large Maori population wherein conferences of the Maori people were frequently held made the Auckland University College an. appropriate one, said Mr. Pycroft, for the study of the Maori language and people with a view to the development of the race.

Mr. A. H. Johnstone, who agreed that Auckland was the right end of New Zealand for such a study, said he felt that an approach to the University College Council on the subject would get a sympathetic hearing. though he feared that little coukl be done until the Council was assured of the money, by bequest or otherwise, to endow a cnair of anthropology, which would cost at the least £1000 a year. Other members expressed sympathy with the idea, but some of them considered that a deal of Government support would be needed and the present time was most unsuitable for making any move. While admitting the cogency of the objection, Mr. Pycroft urged that the matter could be brought before the University Council, if only as a reminder of its importance, and a motion to this effect, on the lines of his statement, was carried.