New Zealand Day At League of Mothers

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 128, 2 June 1939, Page 11

New Zealand Day At League of Mothers

DESCRIPTIVE PROGRAMME The Empire Hall was transformed yesterday for the June meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the League of Mothers when “New Zealand Day” was pleasantly stressed. The stage was arranged as the “marae, ” with the wharepuni in the background, tree ferns, toi tois, berries and bush greenery everywhere in evidence, and members wore shoulder sprays of berries and fern to mark the day. Mrs. A. McPherson presided over the gathering and with Mrs. O. Christensen, leader of the singing circle who had arranged the programme, wore ceremonial mats, the former carrying the taiabe of the chieftainess and Mrs. Christensen a carved battleaxe. Mrs. J. Wilkinson offered a welcome at the door. Announcing the theme of the pro gramme, Mrs. McPherson offered a cordial welcome to thoso present, particu larly mentioning Mr. J. H. Stevens, the speaker for the afternoon, Mrs. Stevens, also Mesdames R. Akuira, Cope and Mr W. Larkin as guests, and a former member in Mrs. Lemberg who has returned to Palmerston North.

The happy thought for the day was contributed by Mrs. Candy. The programme opened with “God Defend New Zealand” led by the singing circle, the members joining in, followed by a glee, Mrs. D. Williams at the piano. Dressed as a Maori maid, Janet Holmes contributed two musical monologues, “Tapu” and a Lullaby, Mrs. Christiansen at the piano. Mrs Akuira delighted the audierfte with her singing of “E Pari Ra (English trans lation, Ebbtide), accompanied with appropriate gestures and beautiful hand movements, and responded to an encore with “Waitangi.” Mr. Larkin, who accompanied Mrs. Akuira, also contributed pianoforte selections in keeping with the day. Dainty sprays were presented to the ladies and buttonholes to the men which had been made by Mesdames Mclver and Waugh, and a lovely basket of berries, the work of Mrs. H. W. Drake, was presented to Mrs. Stevens. Mr. Stevens spoke on the lines of previous public addresses on characteristics of the Maori. He dealt first with the language and its utter simplicity, then of their worship of works of Nature, always in silence, being regarded as too sacred for words. Sickness was regarded as a disgrace, even death in certain circumstances, and houses were burned because a death had occurred therein. The Maori was honest of necessity; money, alsb land being common property. Mr. Stevens spoke of the case of a whale stranded on the Rangitikei coast years ago and of a Maori who had lain in its mouth to prove the story of Jonah, and other episodes to illustrate their characteristics. He stressed their wonderful loyalty to the Queen and mentioned that their gratitude was shown in silence. Mr. Stevens went on to speak of the action of “tapu” as restriction on evil doings and mentioned that “utu” had always been carried out whether on account of injury to an ancestor or a member of the family. The reason why Te Jvooti had taken his revenge on the pakehas was that he had been falsely imprisoned in the Chatham Islands. Finally Mr. Stevens spoke of various incidents in connection with the Maoris at Awahuri.

The tea hostesses were Mesdames Smillie, Stevens, Sylva, Stagpoole, Smith, Stewart, Stidolph, Stout, Sharmau, Sorensen, Spary, Stubbs, Seator, Trevor, Tiddy, Toogood, Cross, Hallett, Petrie and Dredge. Mrs. McPherson thanked Mr. Stevens, the artists and Mrs. Christensen who had arranged the programme, also the tea hostesses.

It was announced that a roll call would be held in July, members desirous of contributing being asked to notify the secretary.

An appeal was also made for magazines and patterns to be forwarded to Mesdames Whittaker and Thomas.