in some of the gaps in our knowledge in a most exciting way. There is growing evidence that the Polynesians may have lived in Fiji as long ago as 3,500 years and that they were there before the Melanesians. All over the South Pacific it is becoming apparent that the Polynesians have been in the area for very much longer than was thought. The most popular theory amongst present-day scholars is that the Asian homeland of the Polynesians was probably on the South China coast and that they had left there before the first Mongolian people entered the region. So far as Hawaiki is concerned, only the east Polynesians, including the Maoris, refer to this as their homeland. Evidence is accumulating that the original Hawaiki was probably Savai'i, the largest of the Samoan islands. The ancestors of the Maori probably left Samoa over 2,000 years ago and settled in the Marquesas. From thence some moved south to Tahiti and neighbouring islands. Later other groups went to Rarotonga and thence eventually to New Zealand.—Editor.)

continued from page 25 for. They had a great deal of respect for his energy, ability and sincerity. Mr A. McCready, speaking for Mr Hanan, who was ill, had noted Mr Souter's ambition to raise the status of young Maori men and women, saying ‘He has gone into it with everything he has.’ Replying, Mr Souter said that New Zealand's democratic government would continue to work well, so long as public servants gave loyal, efficient and self-effacing service to the government of the day. Acknowledging other speakers, he said, ‘I would not like you to think that I am a devotee of efficiency. It should always be tempered with humanity. It is not difficult to decide what should be done in the interests of efficiency, but it is difficult to decide what should be done efficiently in the interests of people.’ Commenting on the role of the Department, he said it should not be regarded as a fatherly figure, guiding the future of the Maori people. ‘Progress lies in themselves. The Department can only create favourable conditions.’

Patere There he sits half boy — half man. Sensitive fingers pluck the strings of a guitar. The songs of two races lie deep within him forming a refrain. Slowly the notes flow forth, liberating his own distinctive song. Marie Andersen