Maori language

Press, 27 October 1980, Page 16

Maori language

Sir, — Charles Wilson appears determined to prove that there never was any direction to teachers to prohibit children from speaking Maori at school. Guy Powell, “The Maori school as a cultural dynamic,” Polynesian Journal, September, 1955 p. 263: “For many years head teachers had been instructed to discourage the use of Maori in the school environment. In certain schools . . .

this resulted in a firmly enforced ban. I have indeed been put in the demoralising position of being under orders to check children using the forbidden language while at play.” Comment by W. Parsonage in P.J., March, 1956: “There was such a ban prior to 1930, but since that date there has been no official prohibition. (It was part of) the prevailing policy of assimilating the Maori as rapidly r« possible into the European way of life.” In those days the strap was commonly used for enforcing all kinds of prohibitions. —■ Yours, etc., ELSIE LOCKE. October 24, 1980.

Sir, — Many years ago I remember a North Island Maori telling me that at school the Maori language was forbidden, but by the same token, in a manner of speaking, his father would thrash him if he spoke English at home. Perhaps learning Maori-Pakeha is the better choice, as no doubt Margaret Mayer (October 23) would agree.—Yours., etc.,

ROSIE WITTY. October 23, 1980.