Letters to The Editor

Te Ao Hou, December 1962, Page 5

Letters to The Editor The Editor, ‘Te Ao Hou’. In your last issue Mr Atihana Johns writes that the ‘hate’ between Maori and pakeha lives on because ‘our [Maori] sense of history does not allow us to forget’. May I suggest— 1 The word ‘hate’ is very much too strong for the mutual distrust and shyness which is often to be found, to a varying extent, between the two groups. If Mr Johns were to live for a time in one of the countries where there is GENUINE racial hatred, he would quickly learn how different the real thing is. 2 If it is true that the Maori ‘sense of history’ produces distrust and shyness on the Maori side (and I think there may be a certain truth in this), then it is time Maoris acquired a different sort of sense of history. I should like to draw Mr John's attention to the situation at the moment in Europe. The French and Germans possess a highly developed sense of history. They were at each others' throats only 17 years ago, as well as at frequent intervals before this. But the French and German sense of history extends into the future as well as into the past, and they can therefore see that it is now historically essential that they should become closely co-operating friends. Hence the European Common Market. I agree with Mr Johns in his mention of the difficulties facing those Maoris who must, of necessity, move into ‘the asphalt jungle’. What he says about this is very true. But it seems to me that the pakeha who wrote the article to which he refers was not criticising Maoris because of these problems. He was trying to help. ‘PONO’ (Wellington) We invite letters to the editor on any subject mentioned in ‘Te Ao Hou’. Letters signed with the writer's name are preferred, but we publish anonymous letters provided that the writer's name is included as a sign of good faith. The editor reserves the usual right to shorten letters if this is necessary for reasons of space. With the last issue, ‘Te Ao Hou’ celebrated its tenth birthday. This seems a useful moment to ask readers to tell us what they think of us—to say which things in ‘Te Ao Hou’ they specially enjoy and which things they may feel they see too much of; and to suggest any new subjects on which they should like ‘Te Ao Hou’ to publish articles. For instance, would you like to see more articles on traditional, cultural subjects—or fewer of them? And on which particular cultural subjects? More features on personalities and topical news—or not so many? This is YOUR magazine—let us know what you want, and we'll do our best. The Blossom Queen at Napier's Blossom Festival this year was Miss Hiraina Hills, a 19-year-old student nurse at Napier Public Hospital. Miss Hills, photographed here against an appropriately floral background, was sponsored by the Matau-a-Maui Maori Club and the Ahuriri Tribal Committee.

In the next issue of Te Ao Hou we are publishing a special supplementary Booklet containing a long article written in 1922 by the late Sir Apirana Ngata, and re-published here for the first time. In this important article the great leader examines the meaning and modern relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi. This is a subject of very much interest to all New Zealanders, and it is fitting that the re-publication of Sir Apirana's article coincides with the forthcoming visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to Waitangi. Sir Apirana's article, written with his usual eloquence and lucidity, is in Maori. Since we publish an English translation as well, the booklet will also be of great value to schools, and to all who are learning Maori. This 32 page Booklet, published through a grant by the Maori Purposes Fund Board, is included entirely free with each copy of the March issue of Te Ao Hou. Copies of this issue will be in great demand—so if you don't already have Te Ao Hou sent to you, why not subscribe today, and be sure of your copies? The membership of the Maori Education Foundation Board of Trustees has been completed by the appointment of a new member, Mr John Te Herekiekie Grace. Mr Grace, who is the nominee of the Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Hanan), is farming at Parapara at Wanganui. He was formerly private secretary to successive Ministers of Maori Affairs.