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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, June 1909

Maori in the University

page 38

Maori in the University.

TTo the teaching of New Zealand history there seems to be no beginning. In our early childhood we were impressed with the bravery of Boadicia and the numerical strength of Henry VIII.'s wives, but of our own country's history, we hardly receive even the vaguest notions. The history of the early Maoris, their customs and their folklore, would comprise a subject in which the dullest pupil would take an interest. But whilst we are forced to commit to memory every date that has a possible bearing on any part of English history, we are not encouraged to discover the veriest detail of the coming and the story of our fellow-countrymen, the Maoris. We wish to suggest that Maori could with the best of results be added to the University syllabus—the Maori language, the Maori folk-lore, the customs and the history of the Maori people. It would hardly be possible, of course, to include the subject as a pass subject for the B. A. degree, but for an honours subject or for any special research work, such as is required for the Litt. D. it provides a wide field of knowledge, as yet practically untrod. The arrangement of a suitable course would be a simple matter. Those who intended to take ujup the subject would take Maori as one of their subjects for matriculation, the subject to include some general outlines of the history of the people. The student would then take up an ordinary literature course for the B. A. degree, which would include at least three languages. He would be specially trained in the etymological and historical side of his subjects in order to gain a thorough insight into the methods employed by etymologists, and so be fitted to take up original research work in regard to Maori and its kindred languages. The student would, unless the present regulations are altered, have to take his M. A. degree in a language other than Maori, but such a course would not be the Honours work behind him, the student would take up the read work of research with enthusiasm plus the necessary expert knowledge.

That there would be sufficient to interest a student connot be doubted, since at the outset, the question of the origin of the Maori people of New Zealand involves that of the whole Polynesian race. The scope for the exercise of special knowledge would satisfy the cravings of the veriest literary gourmand, and page 39 the results which must follow any such diligent research could not fail to be of value to be of value to the literary world. There is a danger, of course, that if such work is not begun within the next few years trustworthy records will have disappeared, and it is most probable that if the matter is left to the University Senate these years will pass unheeded. But there is hope that even a University Senate might be aroused from its apathy. It is certainly a most deplorable case of neglect that such a vast field of knowledge as lies at our very doors, should for so long have been left unheeded, where there is so much work for the capable labourer and so much pure metal to reward the industrious prospector.