Speakers on Health and Education

Te Ao Hou, June 1964, Page 49

Speakers on Health and Education Dr Ian Prior, director of the Medical Unit, Wellington, was the guest speaker at the official opening on 20 March 1964. With Dr North of Te Whaiti and Mr Rangihau of Rotorua they formed the panel which discussed health problems at one of the sessions. Dr Wilson of Murupara also made a valuable contribution. The educational field was well represented by local teachers, the Education Foundation, the Education Department, Vocational Guidance, Maori Welfare, the University Extension Department and some of the Churches. The conference sessions were held in Rangitahi College; Rangitahi marae provided accommodation, and the local Women's Welfare League and others did a splendid job with the catering. Although conference numbers were not large, some of the highlights were the enthusiastic and vigorous performance of the Murupara Youth Club at the official opening; the hospitality; the positive contribution of all who attended the sessions; the interest in the display of works of art by Selwyn Muru, Arnold Wilson, Freda Rankin, Mere Harrison, Elizabeth Mountain and a local High School boy; the interest too in the display of Maori literature, and above all in Hone Tuwhare's poetry reading on the Saturday night. As is always the case with these conferences, questions and speakers were provocative, and frankness and incisive thinking were much in evidence. On two or three occasions some observers were told that they inhibited discussion by talking too much!