MAORI VILLAGE SCHEME.

Otago Witness, Issue 3782, 7 September 1926, Page 22

MAORI VILLAGE SCHEME.

■WELLINGTON, September 3. The report of a commission on a model Maori village scheme was briefly discussed in the House of Representatives to-day. Durability and not inflammability is what the Hon. Mr Ngata desires in the thatches for the Maori village settlement at Ohinemutu and Whakarevvarevva. If they were dry thatches, he said, the insurance companies would have something to say about the lay-out, because there would be a gbeat risk to the town of Rotorua. “ When the Maori entertains there is a good deal of labour attached to it,” declared Mr Ngata. “ Even a haka, and I know, because I have been in them on many occasions, is a pretty difficult job.” “Without wings birds cannot fly, and unless we put money into this scheme the proposals of the commission cannot be given effect to,” said Mr Ngata. He urged the Prime Minister to expend £2OO on a road and to carry out the village settlement scheme at Ohinemuri and Whakarewarewa. The Prime Minister said it was proposed to go right ahead with the recommendation of the commission, and a vote to cover the cost of the road would be placed on the Estimates. “ This village settlement scheme,” he added, “ is only part of the debt which, I think, the people of New Zealand still owe to the Arawa tribe. We have been depending more and more in recent years on this tribe for the entertainment of our distinguished visitors. Presently we shall have the Duke and Duchess of York here to entertain. When the previous Duke of York was at Rotorua he said that he had seen almost everything in the Empire, but Rotorua stood out among them.” A generous tribute to the service given to the country by the Arawa Maori tribe was tendered by the Prime Minister. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to the Maori people,” Mr Coates said. “One of the most striking things about New Zealand is our wonderful Maori race.” They have at all times co-operated with us along the lines of progress, and, in addition to their personality, which is undoubted, they add to the picturesqueness of the country Whenever there has been a call the first to respond have been the Maoris, and they have stood back to back with our own people. In addition, we have some of the most progressive and sound of our statesmen members of the Maori race. It is good to know that we have in our midst men and women who are willing to assist in the preservation of the ancient customs and characteristics.”