Maori language and culture 'doomed'

Some observations on the future of the Maori race and the Maori language were made to a press representative in the course of an interview with Dr Te Rangihiroa (Dr Buck) who represents the Western Maori district in Parliament.

The scheme entertained by Henare Kaihau (member for the Northern Maori district) to preserve the Maori language and Maori customs by establishing a Maori township in the Waikato was sympathetically viewed by Dr Buck, who, however, despaired of the attainment of the result desired.

"I am afraid," said Dr Buck "that the Maori customs and the Maori language as a spoken language are doomed. As a matter of sentiment I would very much like to see them remain, and I would do all I could to preserve them, but I am afraid it is beyond our power.

"The township scheme is all right as far as it goes, and I think that an influence may be exerted in a similar way to that exercised by a Gaelic and Celtic societies in preserving at least an academic interest in these languages and fostering the sentiments of the races who spoke them.

"No doubt Maori customs would survive in a modified form in such a township, but if it is contemplated that the Maori should be preserved as a separate race the scheme is impracticable, and in my opinion is running counter to the signs of the times.

"One can sympathise with the ideal and can easily understand how it appeals to those of the older generation of Maoris, but one cannot shut one's eyes to the fact that a fusion of the Maori and European races is inevitable and desirable."

• Mr H. J. Pither, who attempted to fly his monoplane at the Caledonian Ground yesterday afternoon, was in many ways unfortunate.

It is unfortunate to wait till a large crowd has paid its money, and till that crowd has become thoroughly impatient, before making preparations.

It is unfortunate to have heavy ground, with no steep slant to take off from; and still more unfortunate to fail, with the best possible intentions.

Some 600 adults and crowds of children had assembled on the ground by 2.30p.m. (the time at which the flight was announced to take place), but it took until 3.30 before the engine was started.

It was at once apparent that it was not sparking properly and sufficient speed for rising could not be attained.

After six attempts, the ground was invaded by children, who, cheering and jeering, pursued, sometimes outstripped, the aeroplane in its rushes along the grass.

From this point the spectators began to dwindle away.

Mr Pither persevered and, having twice refilled his petrol tank, made 10 unsuccessful attempts to fly.

- ODT, 8.9.1910.