REVIVING MAORI ARTS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 13

REVIVING MAORI ARTS

Effort To Promote Greater Understanding Members of the Maori race were guests of honour Just night at a reception given by the English-Speaking Union, at their rooms in Nathan’s Building, Wellington. A charming programme was given by members of the Petono Maori Club, led by Mrs. Rio Love. The guests were received by Mrs. E. I). Good (chairman of the women’s ■committee), who was assisted, by the chairman, Mr. R. G. C. Flitch, and the deputy-chairman, Mr. Leigh Hunt. Mr. Ffitch welcomed the visitors, specially Lady Pomare, Mrs. Rio Love, Mrs. H. D. Bennett, and Mr. King! Tahiwi. He spoke of the splendid work they were doing among the young Maoris in the Wellington district, encouraging them to revive their arts and their language, and recapture their pride of race. Mr. Tahiwi said that in the past there had been a “one-way traffic” element in the relationship between the Maoris and the white people. The Maori had accepted the pakeha’s religion, games, and customs, and had given nothing of his own civilization in return. The young people were now endeavouring to revive their arts in such a way that they would be attractive to white people, and a “two-way traffic” scheme be developed. Recently, he said, 50 training college students sang and performed Maori action songs, and it was through ways such as this that an even greater understanding than now existed would grow up Ix - twcen the two races.

Lady Pomare. as president of the Ngati I’oneke Society, thanked the English-Speaking Union for its gesture of friendship in inviting them along. Mrs. Bennett, added her thanks to Lady Pom a re’s. A delightful programme of songs, action songs, and poi dances was given by members of the Petone Maori Club, the girls wearing piu pins. Mrs. Rio Love led them, and also sang solos. Two charming items were given by the Rio Love twins, two little girls of ibout six years old. An interesting account, of tiie making of Maori mats from flax was given by Mrs. Bennett. One of the Maori’s chief difficulties when lie came to New Zealand. she said, was the evolution of a completely new dress for himself, for rhe tapa cloth, of the Polynesian Islands from which he came, was not: warm enough. She showed how he tad made use of the natural products :>f the country, realizing better than the people of New Zealand now did the value of the flax.

'l’bc evening concluded will) tiie serving of supper.