Maori Mobile Canteen Visits Whatuwhiwhi

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 16, 22 November 1946, Page 1

Maori Mobile Canteen Visits Whatuwhiwhi

“E kore e taka te parapara a ona tuhua, iho ki a ia,” translated, is “He cannot lose the spirit of his ancestors—it must descend to him.” This week the Maori mobile cante c u visited us. This famous canteen typifies that old Maori spirit, and its many battle scars prove that spin: still active. Mr. Charles Bennett, or “Y.M. Charlie” as he is affectionately eali-c-d, drove the vehicle in, and he anu Mr. Hawera spent the night at Miss Polly King’s home at Merita Bay. At night a “korero” went on there—Mr. Hawera, a Vocational Guidance officer, holding the floor as chief speaker. On Wednesday morning everyone —young and old—congregated at the Native School. Mr. Bennett’s first remarks were that our roads equal some of those they passed through in the desert. After the welcome speech, a number of lantern slides depicting war events in North Africa, Italy and Palestine, were shown and explained. These were most interesting. Mr. Hawera also explained a few slides showing the Auckland Maori hostels which are doing such good work for Maori youth there. He spoke again to the parents, urging them to take advantage of higher educational standards for their children. A little later a first-class hangicooked meal was served, and much appreciated by visitors and home people. Before the canteen rolled away, the children performed action songs, while Mr. Bennett took a few photos. • We greatly appreciate the action of the Government in sending thuMobile Canteen around to the native schools. As everyone probably knows this Canteen was donated to the Maori Battalion by the native school children from all parts of New Zealand. Its subsequent fame is known not only to the Maori Eattalion and the Eighth Army, but should be known by all New Zealanders.