MAORI CONSERVATORIUM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22524, 15 September 1936, Page 10

MAORI CONSERVATORIUM

SCHEME FOR CENTENNIAL PROPOSAL TO MINISTER [BY TELEGItAFH —OWN CORBKBFONDENT] KOTORUA, Monday A Maori conservatorium of music arid of arts and crafts as tho Maori portion of a centennial memorial was. suggested to tho Minister of Internal Affairs, tho Hon. W. E. Parry, by a deputation from the Ilotorua Borough Council, which waited upon him to-day. Tho Mayor of Ilotorua, Mr. T. Jackson, .suggested that the Government should consider giving assistance to erect a suitable building at Ilotorua,. which could bo made, a research centre for all forms of Maori lore, music and logend. Tho council had considered the mat- < tor, and suggested that a suitable man to place in charge of such an undertaking would be tho well-known New. Zealand composer, Mr. Alfred Hill, tho Mayor said. Tho council was so im-j prossed with tho possibilities that it; would agroc to provide one-third of' Mr. Hill s annual salary if it waSj found possible to engage him. He; considered that the centennial would! be the most suitable occasion to erect j a memorial. Tho time had arrived; when a concerted effort - (should bo; made to preserve the many wonderful j legends of tho Maori people and to j develop their music and culture. ' The -' Minister said lie was "ini-j pressed-with tho idea, and suggested that'; ,it' should ■ bo submitted through i the. district centennial committee to) the national committee in Wellington! for consideration. The Government was J anxious to do everything in its Vpowor; to preserve the'culture <sf tho.Maori,; find also to convince tho"' natives-that they would bo placed on an equal | footing with white : iir every respect. ~ 4