"LINGO OF THEIR OWN"

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 157, 5 July 1937, Page 9

"LINGO OF THEIR OWN"

MAORI-PAKEHA SCHOOLS. MINISTER URGES TOLERATION. Difficulties which have arisen in the Bay of Islands district, where in schools there is a preponderance of native children, were brought before the notice of the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, when touring the district on Saturday. One deputation, while expressing appreciation of the native race, urged that a conveyance should be made available to enable European children to go to another school. A second deputation said that In a school which consisted mostly of native children the European children picked up "a lingo of their awn," and suffered from the effect that they did not have wider contact with children of their own race. Mr. Fraser made it quite clear that the policy of the Government was one of equality of races, with the same educational facilities for all, and he earnestly urged a spirit of toleration. He said that it would be a tragedy if feeling were worked _ up between " Maori and pakeha in the matter of education. In many respects the root of the native problem was economic, and with proper education it might be overcome. In connection with native education in the primary stages, he added, it might be desirable to develop the system of village schools, hot the indications were that Maori and pakeha should be educated together in post-primary schools.