Letters

The Editor, ‘Te Ao Hou’. Thank you for your very kind gesture in forwarding the March issue of ‘Te Ao Hou’ depicting therein an article on the Ratana church. I feel that you have conveyed — however briefly — an informative and factual account of the late Mr T. W. Ratana and the Church. However, might I take this opportunity to rectify a minor inadvertent mistake—in that the women depicted in the photo is not I, but instead my niece Mrs Mura Kawana. Finally, please convey my appreciation, for the wonderful effort given in compiling this article, to the various members of your staff—and especially to Miss Ans Westra, who took the photographs. Yours faithfully, PUHI RATAHI, President, Ratana Church (Ratana Pa)

The Editor, ‘Te Ao Hou’. I would like to say how pleased I am with the copy of ‘Te Tiriti O Waitangi’, by Sir Apirana Ngata and very well translated by Te Rotohiko Jones. I think it should be read by all throughout the country both Maori and pakeha. To those who have not read same do so as the price as advertised in ‘Te Ao Hou’ as one shilling per copy gives no indication of its value. Ngarongo. N. I. Nicholson (Featherston)

Copies of the booklet ‘Te Tiriti o Waitangi’, Sir Apirana Ngata's brilliant discussion of the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi, were distributed as a free supplement with copies of the March ‘Te Ao Hou’. Extra copies of the booklet are still available from the Editor, Te Ao Hou, Box 2390, Wellington. They cost 1s. each. Or else, if you missed your copy of the March ‘Te Ao Hou’, we will send you the March issue, complete with Sir Apirana's booklet, for 2s. 6d.

The Editor, ‘Te Ao Hou’. In a recent issue of ‘Te Ao Hou’ you ask for readers' opinions on this magazine. Perhaps I could put forward my own views. I find your magazine so very chatty—but, oh, so tame and timid. Injecting it with stimulating and controversial topics occasionally may be an improvement. As a starter I would suggest asking readers their views on the worth of our present three members of Parliament. What is ‘Te Ao Hou's’ policy on these matters? Yours faithfully, A. P. HURA (Dunedin)

‘Te Ao Hou’ is concerned with everything to do with Maori life—except for politics. It is published only four times a year, and this in itself makes it unsuitable for politics. In any case, ‘Te Ao Hou's’ aim is to cover those aspects of Maori life which tend to be neglected by other publications. Maori politics is, we consider, one of the very few aspects of Maori life which most newspapers and magazines do already treat adequately. As for the suggestion that ‘Te Ao Hou’ invite comments on the worth of individual persons—we don't think there is any magazine or newspaper, anywhere, which would consider doing this. What about the law of libel, for one thing? We would very much like to get more controversial writing into the magazine, but we are dependent on our readers for this. If you object to something you have read in ‘Te Ao Hou’, or if there is something, other than politics, that you feel strongly about, don't just sit there and brood. WRITE to us about it. We'll be very pleased to publish your letter or article.—Ed.

Maori families obtained the record number of 1743 new houses through Government housing and finance schemes during the year ended March 31. The immediate target was to rehouse 4,300 Maori families in four years. In fact, 4,553 Maori families have rehoused in only three years, thus beating the target by one year and 253 houses. The great majority of these houses have been bought by Maori people under schemes through which they have assumed all the responsibilities of home ownership.