A VIEW FROM THE YOUNGER GENERATION

Te Ao Hou, March 1960, Page 29

A VIEW FROM THE YOUNGER GENERATION by Dr RINA MOORE My very first impressions of this Conference were that here we had a group of young people who had a sureness of themselves, a maturity of personality, and an intelligent outlook. They were people who knew where they were going. There seemed to be no feeling of racial difference. They did not seem to be struggling with the adolescent insecurity and the uncertainty of a man between two worlds as had the Young Maori Leaders a generation before them in 1939. Any difficulties they might have had were faced; looked at; laughed at; and then passed over with a feeling that it was all part of life. My very next impression was the realisation that these Young Maori Leaders had turned their backs very definitely on the difficulties, and misunderstandings of the past. The only past they wished to retain was the past of their own cultural Maori background. The past in the sense of troubles between the two races was never once mentioned, and I felt that they were right. The young Maori leader realises that to brood over past grievances only clouds the future, and he is hoping for the wider horizons of a brighter future both for himself and his children after him. It was interesting to note the conflicts between the Maori way of life and his attempts to adjust himself into European life. Maori aroha, which I had always regarded as one of the finest attributes in the Maori culture brought in its wake a trail of difficulties. There was the young man who tried to farm the family holding, which would have produced an adequate living for himself and his family, but unfortunately his Maori aroha was expected to extend to his brothers and sisters who remained in the homestead. Again, there was the conflict of Maori aroha and business when incorporations attempted to provide finance for housing some of their people. The Maori people have the feeling that as the tribe was providing the money and as they still identify themselves with that tribe, and as part of that tribe then there was no need to repay the monies owing the tribe and therefore to themselves. The Maori aroha is a trait that I feel our people should retain, in that we belong to a family group or hapu, and then to the whanau and lastly to the tribe. It gives every individual the feeling of love and security. I think, however, that Maori aroha could be divorced from business

Dr Rina Moore, psychiatrist of Nelson, and the daughter of Mr T. T. Ropiha, belonged to the B table. Particularly valuable were her contributions during the discussion on health. This article reviews her impressions, as the first large-scale Maori event in which she took part. which, after all, is the European way of life; by running our businesses through an accountant. The Maori aroha would not then be spoilt, and the people would be able to benefit from the large incorporations in what is apparently for most districts their greatest need—housing. One of the most interesting remarks made at the conference by a young man who showed considerable insight and forethought was that a Maori should not think that he is like a European, because he is not. He said that there was a tremendous lack of understanding on the part of both races in their different outlooks. He found when he was working for a European employer that they would work quite amicably for some time, and then he would act in a way that was quite inexplicable to the European. In these cases, he felt it was best to explain his different behaviour and outlook and of course when this was done there was sympathy and understanding. On another occasion when his brother died his employer was surprised when he asked for a week's leave instead of the customary two days. When he explained that in the Maori way of life he was expected to remain with his family during the sorrow of their mourning then his request was readily granted. From the psychiatric point of view this method, this idea of the family coming together for a longer period of recalling memories of the past, easing the sorrow out together as a group—this is a healthier method of expressing grief, than the ambivalent European method, where grief is closed and hidden. The most fortunate members were I felt a tribe who have only managed to develop their material resources within the last twenty years. Rather isolated from the pakeha previously they have been fortunate in retaining their tribal strengths and the traditions of their ancestors. While discussing Maori leadership in the people of today, they announced proudly that in their area the ariki of their tribe maintained his traditional position. Their chief attended hui and tangi with his rangitira and his educated leaders. This tribe I felt was very fortunate in having retained the best of two worlds. Here I feel lies the future of the Maori people, retaining as much of the tradition and culture of their past to give them the confidence and courage necessary in maintaining their responsibility of civilisation in the world in which they live. Both from Tokerau were Arnold Wilson, sculptor and art teacher at Bay of Islands College (Kawakawa) and John Cribb, traffic officer, Kaikohe, (Round Table A).

Mrs Judith Eilison, from Porirua, daughter of Col. A. Awatere, Dominion Executive member of the Maori Women's Welfare League, and active social worker in Porirua (Round Table B). Miss Whetu Tirikatene, from Wellington, daughter of the Minister of Forests, student for Diploma of Social Science, and a Maori welfare officer. Miss Tirikatene, apart from being expert in Maori arts, is a N.Z. Ballroom Dancing Championship holder (1951) and finalist in N.Z. and Provincial fencing championships. (Round Table A). Mrs Kataraina Mataira, painter and art teacher, Kaikohe, and Mr John Hunia, Rotoiti. (Round Table A). Mrs Rihitapuwae Tocker, from Taumarunui, president of the Manunui Youth Club, secretary of Hauaroa Youth Club. (Round Table B). Rev. Whakahuihui Vercoe, from Feilding, Maori missioner (C of E), tutor for Maori lessons, organizer of Maori youth clubs (Round Table A).

AT THE MAORI YOUNG LEADERS CONFERENCE, AUCKLAND 1959