WAITANGI DAY AS HOLIDAY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 11

WAITANGI DAY AS HOLIDAY

Catholic Maori Club’s Support The idee-pf making Waitangi Day a statutory holiday was supported by the central Council of the Catholic Maori Clubs, which held its annual meeting at Rapaki This was the first time the central council had met in the South Island. According to a supplied report, among the topics discussed was the organisation of the annual gathering at Easter, to be held next year in the South Island for the first time. K The effect of home life on the upbringing of children, and the importance of protecting the Maori way of life without prejudice to the necessity of adapting customs to the tempo of Western civilisation, were also subjects of discussion. Several non-Roman Catholics expressed sympathy and offered support when the difficulties facing those who wished to give their children a Roman Catholic education were discussed. Mr N. E. Kirk, member of Parliament for Lyttelton, offered advice on the question of Maori leadership. He suggested that in a democracy true and beneficial leadership was to be found not so much to one dominant individual as in the wisdom and actions that resulted from meetings of persons of goodwill. From organisations such as the council could be expected the best leadership, he said. The council paid special tribute to the Department 'of Maori Affairs for recently-built houses in Temuka. The headmaster of the Maori school in Temuka (Mr E. M. Mclntosh) spoke of the improved health of the children of Teihuka. The council also decided to congratulate Sir Eruera Tirikatene on his recent knighthood. Mother Crescentia. until recently principal of St Joseph’s Maori Girls’ College, Greenmeadows, was bidden farewell on the eve of her departure to represent her congregation in England. Mr K. Erueti, of Normanby, Taranaki, was elected president to succeed Mr Hikaia Amohia who retired. The gathering ended with a concert given by the Whetu-Ariki-o-Kahukura Catholic Maori Club.