MAORI ARTS AND CRAFTS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 September 1936, Page 6

MAORI ARTS AND CRAFTS

CONSERVATORIUM SUGGESTED. ROTORUA, Monday. A Maori conservatorium of music and of arts and crafts, as the Maori portion of the Centennial memorial was suggested to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, by a deputation from the Rotorua Borough Council, which waited upon him to-day. The Mayor of Rotorua, Mr T. Jackson, who acted as spokesman, suggested that the Government should consider giving assistance to erect a suitable building at Rotorua, which could be made a research centre for all forms of Maori lore, music and legend. The council had considered the matter, and suggested that a suitable man to place in charge of such an undertaking would be the well known New Zealand composer, Mr Alfred Hill. The council was so impressed with the possibilities that it would agree to provide one-third of Mr Hill’s annual salary . if it was found possible to engage him. He considered that the Centennial would be the most suitable occasion to erect a memorial, which would not be of brick or stone, lDut engraved in the hearts and minds of the Maori people. The time had arrived when a concrete effort should be made to preserve the many wonderful legends of the Maori, and to develop his music and culture. A building such as he suggested could be used for this purpose. The Minister said that he was impressed with the idea, and suggested that it be submitted through the district Centennial Committee to the National Committee in Wellington for consideration. The Government was anxious to do everything in its power to preserve the culture of the Maori and also to convince Natives that they would be placed on an equal footing with Europeans in every respect.— (P.A.)