KAIHAU'S HOPE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 914, 6 September 1910, Page 3

KAIHAU'S HOPE.

:VIEWS OF DB..TE RANGIHIROA. ■■' "KEAL OLD-TIME TQHUNGA VISIONARY;"Some interesting observations on the future of the Maori race and the Maori language were made to a. Dominion representative in-the'course* of an inter-" view with Te liangihiroa (Dr. Buck) who represents the Western Maori district iir Parliament. 'The scheme entertained, by. Ilenaru ivaihau (member for the Northern Maori district) to preserve, the Maori language and Maori customs by establishing a Maori township in the Waikato was sympathetically viewed by Dr. Buck, who, however, despaired -of the attainment of the result desired. "I am afraid," said Dr. Buck, "that the Maori customs anil- l.ho Maori language as a spoken language are doomed, As a matter of sentiment I would very, much like to see them remain and I would do nil I could to. preserve them, but I am afraid it is beyond our power. The township scheme is all right so far as it goes,'iand .1 think that an influence may be averted similar to that exercised by Gaelic and Celtic .societies in preserving at least an academic interest in these languages, and fostering ihe sentiments of the races who spoke them. No doubt Maori' customs would survive in a modified form in such a township, but if'it is contemplated that the Maori should bo preserved as a separate race the scheme is. impracticable, and, in my opinion, is running counter to the signs of the time. One can sympathise with this ideal and can easily understand how it appeals to those of the older generation, of Maoris, but. one cannot shut one's eyes to the ' fact that a fusion of the Maori . and European races.- is inevitable and-desirable." ; Continuing,- Dr. Buck said the ideal of the ' fusion of , the races ■ had, been put forward by the young Maori party'before how,, and that they were advocating what : was. inevitable in any case . was shown by the fact that the proportion of ; those mixed raco to pure, Maoris was increasing.-. ' . . ' ... '. "It '-is', true," continued Dr. ■ Buck, "that there ,are; those, .who .'maintain' that the European, .race has nothing to, pain from the Maori, but I do not hold that view!The Maoris have many good qualities. As .a race they have . been famous for their skill and daring in navigation and warfare and when peace came they were noted for ; their,hospitality. Such qualities as these.and others it would be no detriment possess. .The physique of the present-day; Maori is good, and if we can trust-hearsay .evidence has produced some magnificent types of men. It-is unfortunate, that ho, records have been taken in schools to ,show, how the boy of mixed blood,compares in physique with '■ the "Maori: on.' one. hand and the European oh.' the'other; but, my observations lead me to.the- conclusion that he ,is .not inferior in-physique to j the European. ■-. It is true that the half-casto has rtot'stiowh such, resistance ,to the ravages of conscription'that'is: desirable, but .it is probable, that,as they adopt European, ■customs, and -precautions .against.".disease' , their , ':vitality .will '•'in'crekse.": :i ' ; "''■'■■ ''■' )& .'.'■' ■,'-Mr.'fKailiau's hope■ of. .reviving the .real old-time tohunga Dr. .Buck; considered, visionary.;? "The, tohuiiga. has gone,"- ho said, "never to return. The j conditions now'.are in'otsuch as would .favour' him:. He had ,'• science, but :■, his'. influence was . a; one. arid was an' example of the triumph.,of:mind.oyer matter.': The laws: of; tapir were.: easily transgressed and the imaginary, affections;:that. followed . and; S laced tha in real physical ( istress, were removed by the perfect confidence . the people had. in the tdhunga."