“Passing Maori Memories”

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7065, 26 January 1933, Page 6

“Passing Maori Memories”

MAORI SYMBOLISM

[Recorded by “ J.H.S.” for the Times. ]

Under this title a New Zealand born lady gifted in language and imagination which may even justify the eccentric Bernard Shaw in his descriptive catalogue of “experienced liars,” has published a handsomo volume at one guinea nett. In it she says that prior to the coming of the white man the Maoris lived on grapes, sugar cane, and tomatoes(!). She also credits them with knowledge which enabled them to predetermine the sex of every child. Her charming style and personality induced a famous London physician to write a highly eulogistic preface for her book. I could not resist the temptation to write this eminent man protesting against the tissue of misstatements which he and she had perhaps unwittingly ondors ed. The reply came direct from the gifted authoress herself in such volume and scathing terms as to leave me speechless. She concluded with “It is only too obvious that you belong to that despicable class known as ‘wowsers,’ and as such you are totally unfitted to criticise scientific truths.”—! Apart from many such little discrepancies, the book is well worth reading. Somo interesting Maori traditions which may otherwise have been lost arc there preserved. The collection of rare Maori art pictured is a credit to the industry and choice of the author.