LIFTING THE TAPU

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 282, 24 August 1922, Page 5

LIFTING THE TAPU

MAORI CHANTS IN PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS OPENING OF A COMMITTEE ’ ROOM INTERESTING CEREMONIES YESTERDAY Maori chgnts and incantations were heard yesterday morning in the. Parliamentary Buildings, when the room that has been set apart for the Native Affairs Committee was formally opened. This large room, which is to play an important part in the life of the Maoris probably for generations to oome, has been decorated with beautiful and grotesque carvings, so that it resembles in some measure a whare runanga, or Maori meeting house. The doorway is covered with carvings of special significance to the Maoris. Ministers and members who had gathered to watch the opening ceremony were seated in the passage outside the committee room when a little procession of Maoris approached. At the head, in ceremonial Maori costume, was Mita Taupopoki, of the Tuhourangi tribe, Whukarewarewa. With him came .the . carver of the Maori designs, Te Kiwi Amohau, a paramount chief of the Arawas. AVI- - Te Maka, representing a younger generation, and an interpreter, completed the band. \ Mita Taupopoki, who is over seventy years of age, advanced brandishing his mere and presently his fine voioe resounded down the long corridor in a warlike chant. It was the commencement of the ceremonial that was to exorcise tlio evil spirits that had gained entrance into the meeting place since its building. . The old chief next commenced an incantation intended to enable women to enter the house, for a holy house was barred to women by Maori custom until the ban was removed. Other chants followed relating to tho hewing of the trees' from which tire wood for the building was procured, and the flaying down of the mats, an offering* from the women folk before they could enter the building. A .Maori member of Parliament standing by explained than no Maori could enter that room until the “tapu” had been lifted from it. “How then came the Maoris to attend in ths old committee room,” he was asked. “Ah, that room,” he explained, “had not tho carved door. The Tapu having been removed and the evil spirits driven away for ever the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Native Affairs, made a short speech. He began humourously by saying he was glad that his wife—who was to be the first woman to enter the room —would now he able to get. in without having to climb onto the ridge pole and enter through tho roof, a sally that was received with mingled European and Maori laughter. The Minister referred to tho high traditions, of the Native Affairs Committee,, which was the final court in all native affairs. After tho Minister had snoksn the. Maoris chanted agaiij. and then handed the key to Mrs. Coates, who entered alone while further ceremonies were held outside. Then the whole party entered, and there were other speeches in tho room. After the ceremony the chairman and members of tho Native Affairs Committee entertained the other members of tlie Legislature and a. few Maori and pakeha visitors at lunch. ’Hie Hon. J. G. Coates prosid,-d. The Prime Minister proposed the toast, “The Native Race.” He said that he believed tho ceremony of the morning would to regarded in later years as historic. The Maoris were the fellow citizens of the white people. He had noticed often in official statistics that population returns were quoted “exclusive of the native race.” He saw no reason why this practice of separating tho races for statistical purposes should eontim e. Tho Maoris took part in the affairs of the nation, they shared the responsibilities of government a id thev jiaid taxes. Mr, Massey added that ho did not believe the Maori race would disappear from New Zealand. But a process of merging was now proceeding, ind in the ond tho two races would become one. 'Hie nation would bo none the worso for the infusion of Polynesian blood. Tho Maoris were the physical and'intellectual equals of the white people. He foresaw that in centuries, to conio Now Zcabudors would point with, pride to their d'weent from some Maori chief of the past. The Leader of the. Opposition (Mr. T. M. AVilford) said that he desired to echo th.> sentiment expressed by. the Prime Minister in regard to tho unconquered native race. He was glad to regard tho Maori race in Nev.’ Zealand as one with the European race. The Maoris had shown themselves capable of attaining quite as high proficiency in the arts and sciences as Europeans wore capable of attaining. Mr. AVilford praised the natural dignity of the Maoris*, and concluded by greeting their representatives in a phrase from their native speech. Mr. Tau Henare, speaking in Maori, returned thank’s on behalf of the Maori members and the Maori /race. He hoped that in the future tho | Chamber of the House of Represent;’.- | tives would be decorated. as the Na--I tivo Committee room had been, with I Maori carvings. Perhaps the occas- ; tonal discords ho had noticed in the | House had been due to the fact that i the Tapu had not been lifted after the completion of the building. Mr. AVi Hope thanked the speakers for the compliments they had paid to his people. He hoped that there would be no division between Ul9 Maoris and the Europeans. AA’iih the Great War lines of demarcation had disappeared. Tho two races had come to a re-birth, and were as one. When Mr. Wi Rape had done, the old chief. Mita Taupopoki brought his Maori brethren Ito their feet with a chant, and they drank to the health of their European friends. The Hon. A. T. Ngata (Eastern Maori) also returned thanks. He . mentioned that M/. Tau Henare was a descendant of several clrefs who signed the Treaty of Waitangi. It was fitting that tho member for the Northern Maori district should have spoken for the Maori people on the present occasion. Mr. Ngata paid a tribute to the ex-Native Minister (Sir William Herries), whom, he described as personifying tho fairness of tho British people. The Maoris, he said, had reason to thank God that their destinies had become entwined with the destinies of the British people rather than of some other races j of civilisation. An enormous compliment had been paid the Maoris the other day when tho Now Zealand Rubgy Union selected a Maori referee for the All match. That was an expression of equality that the Maoris appreciated. “They say silence is. golden and brevity is the soul of wit: I think 1 I’ll mix mine,” said Sir Maui Pqmare I ns he briefly expressed appreciation | of the kind things said about the | Maoris. “We don’t like to pat our- | selves on the shoulder and say what I jolly good fellows we are,” be added) “But there is no doubt we have been. I The Maori in tho/old davs was noted j for his hospitality. His home and [ his oven were always open.” (Laughter.) '