development of a national character in New Zealand art it was obvious that there would be an increasing demand in the country for murals, sculptures and other works dealing with the significant features in history and development. The Maori must make, and had already made, a unique contribution to New Zealand art, he concluded. Buck Nin said that one of his aims had been to dispel the false conceptions of the Maori race gained by people overseas by pictures on travel posters and brochures. ‘For too long the Maori has been portrayed as a native of New Zealand who dances in a grass skirt and brandishes a greenstone mere,’ he said. ‘This display will help to eradicate the over-emphasis and misconceptions given by the posters. ‘We can make a valid contribution to the value of contemporary painting and sculpture in New Zealand. ‘Artists have been unfortunately apeing overseas trends and have not evolved a New Zealand flavour to their work.’ Other speakers were Mr G. C. C. Sandston, chairman of the Canterbury Museum Trust Board, Mr S. R. Dacre, president of the Association of Friends of the Canterbury Museum, and Dr Duff. This unique collection of contemporary Maori art which is flavoured so liberally with New Zealand expression and intent will be presented in other parts of the country before going on to Hawaii, South East Asia and Europe. The collection will be away for about two years and, it is hoped, will be augmented by paintings. Buck Nin will be able to present the exhibition to Hawaii in person as he will be living there when it arrives. Buck will be studying at the East West Centre. Lack of financial support prevents anyone accompanying the display any further but on its return to New Zealand, Baden Pere and an exhibiting artist will take charge. There is a tentative plan afoot to take the exhibition to Maori settlements throughout the country. This would show Maori youngsters the purpose in developing their school-day talents and it would prove to them that they can play an important part in their country's cultural development. ‘Muru’, a rimu figure by Norman Lemon