MAORI MORAL TONE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 6

MAORI MORAL TONE.

(■Speaking in his official capacity as chair' man of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. Wells makes the allegation that "the Maori moral tone ie not as high as ours." In respect of Pakotai School he also states that there "naturally parents feel some little concern, and that "we want a .strong man there." Now throughout New Zealand it is safe to say that many thousands of pakeha men and women of whom Xew Zealand is proud were educated in Maori village schools. Again, as many thousands of Maori children and others of Maori extraction have been educated in the ordinary board schools. I have never heard that such has resulted in "the moral tone" being in any way detrimentally affected by this correct policy of fulfilling Hobson's dictum, "We are one people." However. Mr. Wells in thus officially declaiming has (either intentionally so or n<>t) flung a grave insult against Maori repute, not only i" respect of Pakotai. but of Xew Zealand generally. In thus misrepresenting the case-*—he has obviously done so owing to his lack of knowledge of Maori life—Mr. Wells owes it to his Maori fellow citizens to withdraw his remarks and hasten to make the amende honorable. For it is. good will, not feelings of resentment, that make for confidence and success in our interrelations between Maori and pakeha. Remarks such as are complained of —especially those coining from men in high and responsible positions—servo only to undo the labours of the past in fulfilling" our national destiny in terms of Hobson's expressed wishes for our guidance in all these things. GEO. GRAHAM. Secretary, Akarana Maori Association.