MAORI AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21717, 11 May 1934, Page 11

MAORI AFFAIRS

BISHOP'S EVIDENCE TO COMMISSION LAND SCHEMES THE NATIVES’ SALVATION SIR A. NGATA AN INSPIRING LEADER [Pee United Press Association.] ROTORUA, May 11. The opinion that the moral development of the Maori race went hand m hand with the development of its land, and that the land schemes were working the salvation of the Maori people, was expressed by the Bishop of Aotearoa, the Right Rev. A. Bennett, who was the first witness called before the Royal Commission on Native Affairs when it commenced its sittings at Rotorua this morning. The Bishop, in evidence, said that his experience of the Maori people as a priest extended over a period of thirtyeight years. His work took him into all parts of the dominion, and brought him into contact with all the tribes. A generation ago the Natives had been a primitive people, striving to adapt themselves to modern conditions. They were more or less children, and had to be treated as such, and were regarded by many as a dying race. Then the Young Maori Party, with Sir Apirana Ngata ns travelling secretary, had taken up work which aimed at the regeneration of the race. The object of that movement had bequ the preservation of the Maori people. This movement had culminated really in the present land development schemes. “ In my opinion the spiritual development of the Maori people goes hand in hand with the development of their land,” said the witness. Proceeding, His Lordship referred to the growing endeavours of the various churches to improve and develop the Maori people. Missionary work, and special activity among the churches, had arisen independently of, and almost simultaneously with the land development schemes. “ I have never ever, m my thirty-eight years’ experience as an ordained man, seen the Maori people so full of hope, and so keen ns at present,” said the Bishop. “ Before the land schemes were introduced, they were living almost hand to mouth. They were lethargic; they did not know what to do, because there was nothing before them, nothing to hope for.” Ho said that the Young Maori movement did not desire to anglicise the Maori. It wanted to give him the best that European civilisation could give him. but it did not_ wish to kill his national characteristics. They must strive to preserve the Native arts and crafts, tho Native mythology, and all other essentially Native features of the race. _ • Air Justice Smith: How do you view the tangi. Witness: It is going through a process of time merely a feasting, a species of Irish wake, but it is now more Christian in its characteristics. The Bishop referred to the development of the Marae. Tho Marae was the centre of the settlement, the focal point of the community, and in developing it they were working for a spirit of unanimity among the people. The formation of a Marae at Ngaruawahia four years ago had signalised the entry of the Waikato people, who had previously hold aloof, into the

work of the other Maori tribes. It was quite impossible for anything to be done without the approval of the. Rangitiras, for the Natives were still very much under the influence of their tribal leaders. Tho land schemes, could never have gone ahead had tho Rangitiras not approved. , He considered that the natural avocation of the Maori was that of a farmer. He did not consider that there was any possibility of their forsaking the land after it ‘ had been developed. They were too enthusiastic and too keen about the work. It was only when people had nothing to do ' that trouble would arise. From the Maori point of view, he felt that nothing but good could come from the schemes, “ although I don’t know what might happen _ if anything should happen to the Native Minister,” added tho witness. “ I have been more than pleased to find how tremendously keen the Native people are with regard to these schemes. They have given them a new ideal and something to work for, but I doubt whether they would have gone as far aa they have done had it not been for the inspiration of the Native. Minister. He has been the driving force behind it Making application to appear on behalf of H. Tai Mitchell, Mr M. H. Hampson said that very grave allegations had been made in the audit officer’s report regarding his client, and statements to this effect had appeared in the Press. Mr Mitchell could make a very full and conclusive answer to these charges, and it was but common justice that he should be heard as early as possible. Permission was given to Mr Hampson to appear. At the luncheon adjournment Joseph Austin Petal, audit inspector, was giving evidence regarding the accounts of tho Waiariki Land Board.