THE PLACE OF MAORI IN EDUCATION What do Maori University Students think of it? by Melvin Taylor Maori people are seeking higher education as never before. Whereas before the war there were only three or four Maori students at Auckland University College, today there are about 35. The conference of 60 Maori students held in Auckland recently spent most of its time in discussing how the teaching of Maori language and culture in the community can be stimulated. Remits were sent to the University Senate and to the Government, and in our Editorial, some general comments are made on these remits. We must always keep it in mind that the main purpose of student gatherings is to sharpen the students' wits. This was fully achieved. Nevertheless many outside the universities will find it interesting to listen in and hear what the students said. It is clear that the gaining of higher learning in the modern arts and sciences has strengthened rather than blunted the students' interest in their own traditions, as one Maori elder put it: “They go away to learn the way of the pakeha yet they come back to our marae and show us the way of the Maori as well.” Among the observers there were many who exclaimed that the Young Maori Party had come to life again. Welcoming the delegates to Auckland, the Mayor, Mr J. H. Luxford said it was “wonderful” to have such a gathering of Maori students—people who were interested in and qualifying to grapple with the problems of their people. Delegates to the conference came from Auckland and Victoria University Colleges, as well as Auckland students at the conference: T. Royal, D. Rikihana, P. Gordon, N. Rolleston, P. Pohaka, H. Frederickson, N. Te Tua and Miss E. Cooper. (Photo: Tom Wong)