Widespread use of Maori sought

Press, 6 August 1980, Page 9

Widespread use of Maori sought

PA Mastertori The Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Couch) believes that facilities should be available for children throughout New Zealand to learn Maori. He would also like to see a greater use of the Maori language. Mr Couch’s views are similar to those expressed in the Maori Language Bill, which was introduced in Parliament by the Opposition last week. But he opposed the bill because he said it brought an “element of compulsion” into the learning of Maori. The Opposition wanted Maori to be equal with English in schools but only a tenth of the population was Maori, he said. “Why should it be compulsory for the rest?” said Mr Couch. “They already have a compulsory language.” Mr Couch said that the widespread use of Maori had been limited by Euro-

pean opposition to its use. Such opposition, particularly in schools, had robbed “generations of Maori children of their birthright.” He was keen to see a resurgence of interest in the Maori language by the Maori people, a move which would fall in line with the Government’s Tu Tang a t a programme. While Maori was not widely spoken, it was not a dead, language. Renewed interest in the Maori language and culture would “bring back some caring concepts.” Since 1975, the Government had been actively encouraging the teaching and use of Maori. About 4 0,000 primary-school children were being taught Maori. ' Some interest in the Maori language would benefit the whole population because it was the indigenous language of New Zealand.