THE TEACHING OF MAORI.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 443, 27 February 1909, Page 7

THE TEACHING OF MAORI.

Sir, In a leader of to-day's issuo ' yoij 1 discuss the subject of Maori studies in the University'of. New Zealand. We think you misunderstand tlia Native bearing of the proposals recently placed before the Senate, . : , ■ n noni you speak of maintaining University - f ideals and improving the Standard of our Uni- .'V versity education,- you 'are speaking of what the teachers: in. : the. University;/ are • steadfastly striving to accomplish, in thb faco of >■ hindrances. The aim. of the University ■ is to contribute in the highest degree possible , to national efficiency, l :• Tie University must thorcfore;be efficient: itself., in. its own function as.-the promoter of scientific. researchOur standards, will improve'precisely in so ,far as we oari efficiently train men. in scientific"' methods and the power of independent invcstigation. In most subjects the Itov Zlea-! land student is hampered at present by lack oi| comprehensive ,libralries and equipment, , There is at least one subjeot in wnicft New Zealauders have a wido field , for original i;e- ' . seareh, and. are at an advantage compared with investigations: in Europe' and 'America "■the study of the. Maori race, from the anthropological, historical,' - and linguistic points of view. Here is ground on which weand we ,aloii6 . can make valuable'contributions to the sum of human knowledge, and at the' same time train suitably gifted stu-i ; dents to independent thought and work. It i isi little, short of .a scandal: that .these great '■ • opportunities have hitherto been neglected. If Maori. is made a degree subject, : . with the ultimate view of obtaining trained "stu<- ■ dents interested in 'Maori'.investigations,V" there need be no danger that Maori will bo an . easy subject, Jn_ fact,': the difficulties of v'; obtaining "a real, insight into the'structure and history of the language would make it an exceedingly valuable training. There may - be trouble in securing compotent teachers;. : but a beginning must -bo maqo somehow. The' : Professorial Board of Victoria College has already- signified iis .general adherence to these views. It' would appear that neither the colleges nor the,XJniveisity have, money to' promote' Maori studies.But: there are many wealthy Maoris,—We are, etc., ' H. B. KIRK. • HUGH MAOKENZIE, ',; G. W. VON ZEDLITJJ. Victoria College, February 25.