MAORI CONCERT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25307, 6 October 1947, Page 9

MAORI CONCERT

Sir,—Mr Vernon Thomas states that an invitation was extended verbally to aU Maoris, but none in particular to the Tuahiwi Roopu Tamariki.” Mr John Stewart in an evasive reply savs“The personnel of the party is not my business. ’ Why is he so ready to take up the cudgels on behalf of the Maori Association? The only reason for my in the first place was to state that the only framed group that has been in action since the cessation of the war is the Tuahiwi Roopu TamaStewart’s invitation —that 11 be the day. in reply to F. G Briggs, surely he realises that Te Roopu Tamariki is only one section (entertainment) of the Pipiwharauroa. Incidentally, the same group, as F G Briggs knows, was responsible for‘the generous assistance in the entertainment of our returned servicemen.— Yours, etc.,

_, . „ aperira riwai. October 3, 1947.

Sir,—l have read with interest the correspondence in regard to the above topic. It would seem that John Stewart, after claiming that "this is truly a community effort" makes no attempt to justify his claim. Unfortunately, he leaves it to Vernon Thomas to offer the paltry excuse of a verbal invitation to the Maoris. When it came to piu-pius and how to obtain them it was more than verbalj the request was w»h e iw hr n Ugh ‘J 1 ? press and radio - Sr,g S s ' I too saw members of the Marama basketball team in two action songs at Morven. There was ■ am 2£S them—their leader. Ana The remainder—enough said. ‘ Rangimarie” might well answer this question:- “Why is it that r£ re A re basketballiteaiis in OtaltehrJ"? - Marama the other Ovautahi. Is this the peace and writes 7^.Yours u etc Wch October 3. 1947 PIPIW HARAUROA.

Maori of yesterday and making a very fine story of it. He trained that party when no one else was interested; but cwing to business, could not attend. For the last fortnight he has worked very hard to bring the party to concert pitch Mr Vernon Thomas may have overlooked the fact; or was Mr u.ikao Barrett too modest to accept the praise and thanks due to him?—Yours, etc. ’ . , o INTERESTED. October 3, 1947.