BLUFF MAORIS

Southland Times, Issue 20527, 2 July 1928, Page 3

BLUFF MAORIS

YOUNG PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Young Maoris Association, Bluff, was held in the band room on Saturday evening. The president, Mr T. Spencer, presided over an attendance of about thirty members. The retiring president, Mr E. Cameron, gave a resume of the first year’s work of the association. He stated that financially the society was in a very sound position the bank balance being £8 8/9 made up chiefly of receipts from concerts, socials and private dances. From the success attending their efforts in the first year of their foundation he could state confidently that the formation of the society had filled a long felt want in the community and would continue to be a success. The members had had their differences during the year but no mistakes could have been made unless some effort had been made to advance their activities.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr T. Spencer; vice-president, Mr S. Cooper; secretary, Mr C. Edwards; treasurer, Mr G. West.

The retiring president thanked the members for their co-operation and promised them his full support in the future. Mr Spencer expressed the hope that all would work together to ensure the success of the society. There was no doubt that the language and customs of the Maoris were dying out and it was one of the objects of the association to see that they were preserved among the younger generation. Seven new members were elected to the association.

A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers. CORRESPONDENCE.

The Railway and Watersiders’ Princess Committee wrote asking the association to stage a concert in aid of their princess in the carnival at present in progress.—lt was decided to accede to the request and the following committee was set up to finalize arrangements: Mesdames Goomes, Edwards, Joss, Morrison, Fyfe, Shannon and Spencer, Messrs C. and W. P. Witri, S. Cooper, P. Ryan and Goomes. The secretary of the Bazaar Committee also wrote asking for an entertainment on one of the nights during the bazaar.— Agreed to, arrangements to be left in the hands of the same committee.

Mr. Cameron voiced the opinion that it seemed a pity that the older people were being left out of the activities of the association specially in regard to the civic carnival. “If we are going to give a demonstration,” he said, “not one of us younger people can give such a realistic touch as our elders. Very few of us can even speak Maori properly or do a real haka.” Mr Spencer said that there was no doubt that they would have to have the assistance of the old people. At the present stage, however, the association members did not know definitely just what was expected of them in regard to the forthcoming functions. If assistance was required he knew that they would get it willingly. “In any case,” he added, “the Europeans would be none the wiser if we do it properly or not.”

Mr Cameron dissented from this view stating that on one occasion a concert had been given in Invercargill when many of the performers could not speak Maori properly. A letter had appeared in the paper the next morning holding them up to ridicule. Mr. Spencer said he had seen the performances of the Maoris at Rotorua during the visit of the Duke of York and there was nothing superior to themselves. The discussion then dropped.