Maori Arts and Crafts

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 8

Maori Arts and Crafts

Mita Taupopoki On Tradition

rE teaching of weaving and carving in the same building is against Haori tradition. This has been given as one of the reasons tor some opposition among the natives in connection with the proposed Maori Arts and Crafts School at Rotorua. On being invited by THE SUN to state his views, Ji-a Taupopoki. a well-known Arawa chieftain of Rotorua, replied in the picturesque language of his people.

“ Friend! “ The question of teaching weaving and carving in the same building is against the principles of the teachings of my ancestors. There are still many Maori folk living, who, like myself, have respect for our ancient customs and beliefs.

Some of these ta-pu laws were founded on important principles and should not be lightly disregarded. Many of the younger generation would be better citizens if they understood and respected our old-time teachings. Our whole moral code 1 and conduct of life were founded on the laws of tapv. and who can say that our old laws were not good laws ? Satisfying Conventions “The Board of Maori Arts is composed of men who well understand the minds of the old people, and they hope also to understand the ways of the younger generation. I know that nothing will be done to offend the feelings of any Maori and the teachings will be so arranged that the con-

| venlloM will be satisfied. When tbe | School of Arts and Crafts is estab- ! Us lied there will, no doubt, be sepaI rate buildings for weaving and carvI “Your own pakeha life is full of conventions that must not be broken. These conventions are the teachings I of your forefathers, which are transi milted to you as unwritten laws. Yau have rules and regulations gov- . erning almost every action of your life besides your many laws. Why then should we not keep to our oldtime customs as long as they do not offend the modern laws of your civilisation? I feel sure that the Board of Maori Arts can be relied on to carry on in the usual and accepted way. “It is most pleasing to me to _ see that the capable son of my late friend Mr. A. Hamilton, has been appointed secretary and director to this board. The memory of his father is one which the present generation should revere and honour. One of a small band of far-seeing men he. among other things, recorded by sketches, and later, when photography was introduced, by photographs, many important and invaluable treasures of Maori artistry which would have been lost for ever. Navigating the Canoe "The director is a worthy son of a worthy father and one who has the keenest interest in all things pertaining to the arts and crafts of the Maori race. Under his directorship I feel confident that the canoe of the Maori Arts and Crafts Board will be navigated with a skill of a very high order. "Personally, X regard the establish- 1 ment of a School of Arts and Crafts as one of the best efforts the Government has made on behalf of the wei-, fare of the Maori people. It should have been started years ago, when there were men and women living who could have imported a vast amount of knowledge that should have been perpetuated for ever. "We have to be thankful to such I pakeha friends as the late Mr. A. Hamilton, Mr. Elsdon Best and others ; for preserving and recording Maori I life and traditions. The tree of * knowledge will again bear fruit as the result of their labours in propagating the seed and tilling the soil. The three baskets of knowledge, the j Kete Aronui, the Kete Tuaiea. and the Kete Tuauri, will be filled again and ; the sacred teachings contained therein preserved for ever.”