MAORI DEATHS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 259, 2 November 1933, Page 10

MAORI DEATHS.

COMPLAINT IN NORTH.

NOTIFICATION NOT MADE.

MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANG AREI, tliis day. ' During tlie past three months three infants have died at the Parakao Maori settlement without notification being made, and with the object of bringing the natives to a realisation of thenduties in this respect, the coroner, Mr. H. C. Hemphill, accompanied by Dr. S. li. Ward and Constable Craigie, paid a visit to Parakao to day, when an inquest was held on the latest victim, a baby girl, the child of Air. and Mrs. Alee Nalii. At the conclusion of the inquest the coroner took the opportunity of censuring the assembled Maoris for their negligence in not obtaining proper treatment for their sick children, and warning them of the consequence which would follow a continuation of this neglect. He also referred to unhealthy housing accommodation in the settlement. Inquest on Child. Alec Nalii, an unemployed labourer, said that his little girl, aged one year and five months, developed a bad cough. As she continued to play about the hut the baby did not appear to be seriously ill, and was not treated by either a doctor or a nurse. Neither was the baby given any medicine. On Monday last the child took a bad turn, and died at six o'clock that morning. Had he thought that the child was seriously ill, Nahi said that he would have called the district nurse. The Coroner: Have you been told by Ratana decree to call a doctor in the case of illness 1 Witness: I have no objection to calling a octor, and no one has ever told me not to. Edward Nathan said tliat when he saw the baby early the previous week she appeared to be rather ill. The child rallied, but when he saw her on Sunday last she seemed to be very ill indeed. The parents made no attempt to call either a doctor or a nurse. Nathan said that during the past two months three children had died In tlie settlement without medical attention.

As the result of a post mortem examination Dr. Ward pronounced the cause of death to be bronchial pneumonia. A finding in accordance with the medical evidence was given by the coroner. Must Send for Doctors. Mr. Hemphill, addressing the group of natives, said that too many children had been dying without medical attention. This must 6top. When children sickened the natives should get in touch with Dr. Cook or the native ntirse. The same trouble had occurred at Whangaruru. Further, if it were proved that parents had treated their children neglectfully they would be prosecuted by the police. The Government medical officers were there for the benefit of the natives, and their services must be used in cases of need. "There is a fear in 6ome quarters," Mr. Hemphill said, "that Ratana has' told you not to get a doctor." This was strongly contradicted by the secretary of the Ratana Village Council, who said that definite instructions were given to the Church members to consult a doctor when necessary. Continuing, Mr. Hemphill said that if a Maori Council existed in the district it did not appear to be doing much good. "I believe," he said, "that two grown-ups and eight children live in a single room here," he said. The owner of the shack admitted that this was so. Another, who thought that an Bft by Bft shed was sufficient for "him and his missus and one baby," said that there was no money to make the place bigger. He said he might make improvements in his spare time. The Maoris agreed with Mr. Hemphill that they would be freer and healthier living in nikau whares than in congested, windowless Tbe coroner said that it was up to the Maori Council to do something, or there would be the prosipect of many more deaths.