THE CENTENARY CELEBRATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22517, 7 September 1936, Page 12

THE CENTENARY CELEBRATION

Sir, —May I suggest to the Centenary Celebrations Committee that it should Consider as a means of marking the centenary not only of the founding of New Zealand as a British colony, but also of forming a partnership on equal terms with tho Maori race. In 1840 over 500 of the principal Maori chiefs ceded to Her Majesty Queen Victoria all their rights and powers of sovereignty over their respective territories, and were themselves guaranteed in undisturbed possession of their lands, etc., as long as they wished to retain these in their possession. Some sections of the Maori race maintain that the latter part of the partnership has not been fairly carried out. Would it not be a friendly gesture toward the Maori people if in 1940 the New Zealand authorities established at least one lectureship in tho Maori language as a means of celebrating the centenary of the political union of the two races? At the present time the Maori language is included in the list of subjects which may be taken by students for the degree of bachelor of arts, but it may be taken only to stage I. Evidently no provision is made for instruction in this language, as no names as lecturers in Maori appear in connection with any of the university colleges in this year's New Zealand' University Calendar, nor is there any. name of an examiner in Maori for degree work. Provision is made for examination in this language for the university entrance examination (matriculation), but not for scholarships. There is an ample field for research and practical work in the recording in the native language of the early Maori history and of many interesting legends before the older generation entirely passes away. A glance through Tregear's "Maori-Poly-nesian Comparative Dictionary" suggests interesting material for study in the variation of the Maori language through the islands of Polynesia, and as many of these islands are under the control of the New Zealand Government, a working knowledge of the language of these places would be of great advantage to young New Zealanders, pakeha or Maori, who might qualify for Government posts in these places. The matter appears to me worthy of consideration. The number of lectureships and the place for such are matters for, consideration by those in higher authority. John Robertson, Dunedm, August 31.