THE MAORI RACE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12521, 5 April 1935, Page 3

THE MAORI RACE

EFFECT OF CONTACT WITH PARISH AS ' LECTURE BY DR, SUTHERLAND. Addressing a meeting of the New Zealand Federation of University Women, Dr I. L. G. Sutherland, off Victoria University College, gave an interestug talk on “Maori and European,” in which he traced T| h e development of the Maori race from their first settlement in New Zealand t-o the present day. There was a. widespread belief, he said-, and one that was certainly cherished by the average Now Zealander, that no native people had ever been so fairly treated as the Maori people. As a matter of fact, if it was” fully told, the story el contact of Europeans with native peoples was much the same- everywhere. If. was true, he -said, that the Maori had survived', but this, on analysis, proved' to be largely due to their own oha.raeterisl.ics and their own efforts rather than lo any specially favourable mode of treatment. The Maoris, themselves comparatively recent . immigrants in New Zealand, had already proved: that they were strikingly adaptable before 'they had to face the more difficult task of adaption to European civilisation. The climate and natural resources ot Now Zealand necessitated profound changes in the customs and mode, of life of those who came to it from central Polynesia, for life in this country was strenuous and difficult compared with life in the unexacting and indulgent environment of the tropical islands. Dr. Sutherland then went on to describe "the Maori temperament aim their ways of living in New Zealand and quoted from, tho opinions expressed by the early European visitors to the country. Hu «poko of tho reaction of the Maoris lo the coining of the pakeha, and of their interest in the extent of wars in civilised Europe. The full significance of the Treaty of Waitangi was dealt with and of the Maoris’ feelings in regard to the many European settlers whose one desire appeared to be tho acquisition of lands. It was difficult for Europeans to appreciate tho intensity of feeling which the Maoris had for their ancestral lands and the strength of their attachment to them, the speaker added. There followed-a description of the Maori wars and of tilieir effects on the Maoris, Dr Sutherland stating that air one period there, was a distinct reaction against all European ways, an j a rejection of much that had! been adopted. Turning to the present day, the •speaker remarked that in recent years there had been a considerable regonaratidn and renewal of many: features of' Maori life, aiij that libel*' was observable among' the Maori people .today'a marked growth ot. racial consciousness, of-racial pride, and. of -interest- in themselves as Maoris. Mention was made of the progress made by them and of the many mangestsitioips of the- revival of Maori life.