STATUS OF MAORI WOMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19947, 16 May 1928, Page 7

STATUS OF MAORI WOMEN.

LECTURE BY MR. G. GRAHAM.

At a meeting of the Women's Political Association, held last evening in the Priscilla Tearooms, and presided over by the president, Miss Ellen Melville, an interesting address was given by Mr. George Graham upon the "Status of Women in Maori Society," ancient and modern. Speaking of women in Maori mythology, Sir. Graham told his audience that in the making of stone implements and utensils no new stone implement could be used before incantations were made to the female deity. In the mythological conception of the making of fire, the actual presence of a woman was necessary to give material assistance. In the ceremonial opening of new houses, the highest woman of the tribe first entered the house, thereby making it free to all women. Maori history showed that women frequently had been the cause of wars. In one case .1 young Maori wife had refused to give up her favourite pastime of bathing in the open sea iri the presence of men other than her husband, and after repeated remonstrances from the latter, who did not think it seemly conduct on her part, he resorted to sterner measures and chastised her. The result was that his wife left him and went to her people. After their refusal to allow the young woman to return to her husband, he gathered together an army of men, and a battle ensued.

In speaking of the domestic duties of womenfolk, the lecturer said that in ancient Maori times the woman of rank directed much of the village life. Laziness was never tolerated. Women took full and active part in the fisheries, cultivation and hunting expeditions. One Maori chieftainess in particular, round about the year 1760, had directed the fishing operations in the Waitomata and Manawatu harbours, and was also fained for the extent of her basketry work and the gay clothes made for herself, her relations and friends for gala days. Maori womenfolk also earned fame for their songs and poetry. Many chieftainesses were distinguished for their commanding personalities, for industry and for bravery, and the story is told of a Maori woman having been the means of saving the lives of a shipwrecked crew on the Nelson coast.

"Now," said Mr. Graham, "they are taking their £>art in business life. The old Maori regime is fast passing away and the Maori women are facing a new order of things." This change in the life of the Maori women has imposed a new duty and responsibility on European women, which he hoped they would not be slow to fulfi'l. In conclusion Mr. Graham said the importance attached by the Maoris to their womenfolk could be seen in the wellknown Maori proverb: "Even as the ornamental head-piece of the canoe or the house gable, so art thou, oh woman, the very head of the tribes of man!"

GIRL GUIDES AT WAIHI. Following an address by Miss M. Bnrgin, Auckland, provincial captain, on Monday evening at a well-attended meeting at Waihi, it was decided to establish a branch of the Girl Guides in Waihi. Mrs. B. Roberts was elected captain; Misses F. McTntosh and P. Turner, lieutenants; Mrs. R. Bell, brown owl; Miss D. M. Toy, tawny owl.