ASIATICS AND MAORIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 182, 3 August 1929, Page 12

ASIATICS AND MAORIS.

"CONTAMINATING MORAL RACE." CABINET ACTION EXPECTED. WHITE N.Z. LEAGUE'S INTEREST.. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PUKEKOHE, this day; The cohabiting of Asiatics and Maori girls was fully discussed at a meeting of the White New Zealand League on Thursday evening, when the statement was made that the Government intends to take action to remedy the conditions complained of. The secretary, Mr. G. T. Parvin, stated he had met representatives of Te Akarana Maori Association and had discussed the question of Maori girls and Asiatics cohabiting. The association was adopting a firm attitude, and was more determined than ever to preserve the purity of the native race: The difficulty appeared to be that there were no habitations available for Maoris while they were in the employ of Chinese and Hindus. Two women's associations were also .active, and were acting in conjunction with the Te Ak&rana Association. Mr. Parvin reported that he had interviewed the Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Ngata; the Minister of Labour, the Hon. W. A. Veitch; the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, and had laid the position before them. He was satisfied that the Government was aoing to do something. Cabinet realised the position," and 'individual members were deeply concerned. The whole situation was being reviewed, and the Government was obtaining particulars regarding employment, social conditions and racial matters. , Europeans' Responsibility. "This racial contamination of a pure and moral race should not be permitted," said Mr. 0. Heerdegen, when moving that the actions of Te Akarana Maori Association, • relative to the intermingling of the native and Asiatic races, be supported.' Mr. Heerdegen added that there never had been a more moral race on the earth than the Maoris. In their primitive' state the Maoris were very moral people, and the people of New Zealand, who had dispossessed the natives of their land, had a great responsibility. Special By-Law Advocated. The leasing of land to Asiatics was also-,discussed, it being depided to draw the attention of the Borough Council tofthe'fact' that it was losing revenue as a* result, and -to suggest that a by-law be framed stipulating that residences of a minimum value of £300 be erected on land temporarily leased to Asiatics. It was declared that Asiatics lived in broken-down shacks, whereas white people had to live in properly erected houses with sanitary arrangements approved by the Health Department. It was contended that a white man could not compete with Asiatics on the land so long as they were'permitted to live as they had been doing. A. copy of the resolution k to be forwarded to the Prime Minister; : . Details are to be obtained of 'the number of Asiatics in Franklin County and Pukek'ohe borough, 'and' the president, secretary and Mr. Heerdegen aire to compile a report regarding the activities of Asiatics, resident in as affecting Europeans. The Government is to be • urged v to make it compulsory that photographs of the individual concerned be attached to passports of Asiatics:. • Steps are to be ; taken to constitute a branch of* the league at Otahuhu.