THE MAORI RACE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 265, 8 October 1940, Page 2

THE MAORI RACE

EFFECT OF CIVILISATION. ADDRESS TO ROTARY CLUB. The vicissitudes encountered by the native race of New Zealand were described by Mr G. C. Petersen in an address on “The Maori” to the Palmerston North Rotary Club yesterday. He said that it could not be ignored tnat New Zealand had'a brown population of 80,000, the rate of increase of which • greatly exceeded that of the white copulation. 'The point had been reached when the understanding and sympathy of every person, Maori and pakeha, was essential if we were to work in mutual understanding and sympathy for the progress of our country. There were aspects of the problem of the two races living and working together for the country to be considered, and the remarkable changes that wero taking place in the Maori race. There did exist the major problem, which had to be solved, of the construction of a social system in New Zealand by’ which we could live side by side with a virile "and growing race. Unlike any native race in the world, the Maori had persisted and was increasing both in numbers and influence. The Maori was not an aboriginal native, as the law persisted in calling him ; he was not tlie original inhabitant of the country. Mr Petersen dealt with the probable origin of the Maori i-ace, and said there was ft good deal of evidence that the Maori came from the same racial stocks as ourselves. Tlie speaker quoted similarities between Maoris and English words to support this contention. Tlie results of the impact of civilisation on the race were dealt with by the speaker who said the end of last century found the race at its lowest ebb. The Maori had suffered not only alienation of his land, but personal occupation ol it was encumbered with uncertainty. The lazy, careless , and prodigal members of the race not only wasted their own substance but existed upon the labours of their kinsmen. To-day wo found that there was a virile minority, doub'e the number of 30 years ago and increasing rapidly. There was evidence of a tremendous regeneration, and wliat was the cause? The genesis lay undoubtedly in the efforts of the race itself. Such men as Sir Maui Pomare, Dr. Peter Buck and Sir. Apirana Ngata, realising the deplorable state of their people, set out to teach them. They were at first laughed to scorn by their own race, but the Young Maori Party persisted, and the battle was carried on in Parliament. Sir Apirana Ngata, in particular, gave up a promising career as a lawyer to devote himself to the race, and was primarily responsible lor me regeneration of the people. The Maori realised that his future lay in the land. Various land schemes were brought into being and to-day there were 140 of these. A total of 1592 houses had been built or renovated for occupation by Maori farmers A quarter of the Maori race was now settled under the schemes. A great deal of enthusiasm wms being shown by the Maori farmers when they had a prospect for the future.. The Maori was adopting a new social order, partly native arid partly European. He proposed to retain the Maori features which remained and to graft, on the European features which were essential. It was a mistake to think that wepcouki turn the Maori into a European. We could not- do so, but it w’as the duty of every New' Zealander to assist;in encouraging the Maori in bis endeavours.

The speaker w'as accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of Mr J. O. Boniface Mr J. Selwyn presided.