A SCHOOL MOTTO
Sir.—l appreciate “Koro Heke’s” interest in anything Maori. His suggestion for a school motto is probably as acceptable as any. However, I do not agree with everything he suggests, certainly not his breezy assurance that a Maori need not ask, “Seek what?” Intonation is important in Maori, but would not be enough in the sentence supplied by “Koro Heke.” Grammatical rules require different uses for A and O, and correct application of the numbers in the possessive personal pronoun. “Taku matua tera” is “Toku matua tera” (my yonder). A change to the long vowel A (matua), with a change also in the definitives, denotes the plural form; e.g., “Oku matua era” (my parents yonder). Maori vowels vary only in length, short or long, a welcome change from the overburdened and hopelessly inadequate English team of five vowels. —Yours, etc., W. J. KARETAI. Little River, July 14, 1954.
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Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 3
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150A SCHOOL MOTTO Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 3
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