Maori “the rightful language”

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33957, 25 September 1975, Page 9

Maori “the rightful language”

Maori is the rightful [language of New Zea- [ land and should be [taught to all pupils at all - school levels, the secretary of the Ara-, hura Maori Committee I (Mr J. Russell) has said.

I “If Maori children are forced to learn the English ; language, so it is rightly so ! that pakeha children should [be forced to learn the indigenous language of the country,” he said. Mr Russell was taking ■ issue with a recent leading article in “The Press” which said that English must remain the primary language for the teaching of all young New Zealanders.

“Everyone must take a responsible attitude and look at the reasons why the imported English language is now the predominant spoken language,” Mr Russell said.

| British interests, he said. :had taken over New Zealand [without Maori consent and had strengthened their hold on New Zealand through a series of “illegal” acts, thus forcing the Maori people to accept British ways. “Pakeha legislators then set about drawing up an educational policy that was to suppress the Maori language from being taught, except in those few schools catering for Maori secondary-school pupils,” said Mr Russell. The “policy of suppression” w ? as aptly carried out by pakeha school teachers throughout New Zealand by punishing Maori children who

spoke their own language, he said. Maori should now be accepted as New Zealand’s primary language. ‘,‘ln time, this country will then become bilingual," A bilingual country was needed if proposals were accepted for Maori-speaking Government offices. Those of-'. fices would work exclusively in the Maori language. People doing business with Maori departments would have to learn the Maori language or employ people'

with knowedge of it. he said.. This would certainly keep the Maori language alive. "Our committee foresees no danger in the learning of' the Maori language by alii people who want to live in the Maori's country,” Mr Russell said. "Many young Maoris cannot master the [imported English language, 'no matter how hard they try or are forced, and no Maori; should be expected to labour! in his own country under this ! hardship." Mr Russell said his com- !

imittee realised that English was necessary for overseas business and travel. "However, it is a fallacy I for people to advocate that ithe English language has to be taught because we live in a community that relies on ) English." he said, “for this will change when both [languages are taught side by [side, and people of both races ■ become proficient enough in both languages to understand one another."