THE MAORIS OF TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1930, Page 2

THE MAORIS OF TARANAKI

STRONGER BOND OF UNITY M AJ TAKA PA RECEIVES DJNE GIFT. ELECnUxN CONTEST GROWS KEEN. -ml . Special Correspondent.) Ml. mill Mrs. Mmiu Wniti and Airs. ||(mm Harrell, joint, owners of a section of land i-iiinprising 2J acres adjoining I'm Maori pa. properly al. Maiiara. h.me very gonoron.-ly made ti gift of that section to the tribe. After the last meeting if. was quite, evident to Ihe thousands who were present that Um nma. of live acres was not, quite large enough to comfortably accommodate the visitors. It was with a view to enlarging the urea of the pa that the gift wfts made. The thanks of the tribe are due Io those donors, and it is most, encouraging Io those who are working hard to make the Waitara pa a real model.

One very pleasing feature of the. last meeting is the- stronger bond of unity evident among the Maori tribes of Taranaki. Whatever else they may differ in, they seenr to realise that a visit from representatives of every other tribe in the Dominion requires their united efforts, not only to provide for, hut also to accommodate and entertain, the visitors.

The meeting will be one of the most important in tho history of the Maori people in Taranaki. Besides the opening of the proposed carved meeting house anti the unveiling of the memorial to the late Sir Maui Ppmaro and an old chief of the tribe, the well-known Wiremu Kingi, there will be discussions by the leading members of the race, and every conceivable means of improving the race physically, morally and spiritually will be considered. Such meetings have been held in other parts of the Dominion, especially in the matter of preserving the beautiful arts and crafts of the race, and at the same time adopting and fostering the modern methods of the pakeha, and they bar's proved most valuable and profitable. At other meetings, too, the New Zealand Maori tennis tournament has always been a great attraction. Unfortunately, Taranaki is so far without a Maori tennis team, due entirely to a want of method or organisation. If such a team can be formed before the meeting the Taranaki people may see the best players of the Maori race in action. Last year the men’s doubles was won by the HbWell brothers, of Matata, Bay of Plenty, the men’s singles by H. Howell arid the ladies’ singles by Miss Newton, Auckland. With three candidates for election to the Western Maori seat in Parliament oil October 8, the excitement among the people is increasing. At first it was thought that Mr. Taite Te Toino (Reform) would have Ho difficulty in gaining the seat vacated by tlie death of the late Sir Maui Pomare, but as the day draws near the issue becomes more baffling. The older section of the people seems to favour Mr. Taite Te Tomo,. not only because he has already shown his Worth as a tactful organiser, thoroughly conversant with Maori affairs and history, but also a very powerful speaker in the Maori language. Having been promised the support of thd Maori King at Waikato he Will, no doubt, bt very strongly supported. On the other hand, Mr. P. H. Jones, one of the contestants, comes from the Waikato district, and a certain number of the electors there will certainly vote for him. The younger 1 section of the Maori people in the electorate favour Mr. Jones because they maintain that the man they want to represent them in Parliament ought to be one with a thorough knowledge of both languages, educated, energetic—in short, they want a man -who can Work. Mr. Jones 41as another advantage in possessing a very extensive knowledge of Native Land Court procedure. He was for some time court interpreter to Judge Brown. As the success and prosperity of the Maori people in the future will depend very largely on properly possessing and cultivating their lands, this knowledge will be indispensable. The billy difficulty that the Maoris have with Mr. Jones is that he stants as an Independent. The third contestant is Mr. T. Rataiiii. With all the followers of his father in this electorate he is assured of very keen support. There can bo no guessing as to the result Of the contest: the election day alone will decide.