WELFARE OR, THE MAORI

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21903, 2 October 1936, Page 12

WELFARE OR, THE MAORI

CONFERENCE AT ROTORUA MANY PROBLEMS DISCUSSED (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) ROTORUA, October 1. At a conference attended by upwards of 100 delegates, representative of most of the important Maori tribes and organisations in New Zealand, which opened at Ohinemutu today, it was decided to form a federation to co-operate with the Government in all matters affecting the welfare of the Maori race. The conference was the outcome of a recent meeting between the Government and Maori representatives in Wellington under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. A sub-committee was set up to, draw up a draft constitution of the federation, and this will be submitted to the conference when it resumes tomorrow.

The delegates were welcomed at the Tamatekapua meeting house by chiefs of the Arawa tribe, who de--livered orations in traditional Maori style, and by the Mayor of Rotorua, Mr T. Jackson, who, in his opening address, made a strong plea for a more sympathetic understanding of Maori problems on the part of the pakeha. Mr Jackson said that the standards of the pekeha were unfortunately in some respects not suitable for the Maori, with the result that, particularly among younger people of the native race, a certain looseness was developing which reflected upon the Maori race as a whole. He thought it very necessary that the Maori should revive his old traditions and tribal habits of life, for these were much more satisfactory than the semi-Euro-peanised conditions under which so many natives were living at present.

The Maori Language

The first subject discussed by the conference was that of encouraging the study of the Maori language. Delegates expressed the opinion that not sufficient attention was being given to the teaching of Maori in State schools, or on the part of Maoris themselves to the use of their own language.

Mr G. Graham, representing the Akarana Maori Association, Auckland, said that not only was the teaching of Maori not encouraged, but children attending native schools were forbidden to use it. Mr J. Banks, a retired native school teacher, said that children were encouraged to speak English while at school, because it was considered that they had ample time to speak Maori while at home. It must also be remembered that many of the native school teachers were not qualified to teach Maori. The parents of children could do most by encouraging the use of Maori in Maori homes.

It was decided to recommend to the Education Department that it consider ways and means of promoting the use and understanding of the Maori language, and also that the proper authorities be asked to take steps that no child be penalised for the use of the Maori language within the precincts of any Maori school. Other Suggestions It was decided to recommend to the Government that it consider a scheme for the agricultural training of Maori scholars at secondary schools, and also the possibility of giving young Maoris practical -farming experience on land development schemes. Another recommendation was that in view of the special abilities Which many members of the Maori race possessed as craftsmen, the need be urged upon the Government of providing vocational training for Maoris in engineering and mechanical trades. Reference was made to the possibility of the closing of Flock House at Bulls, and it was decided that the Government be approached and asked to consider the admission of Maori trainees to Flock House. The delegates inspected the Horohoro native land development scheme during the morning, and after a full afternoon session the conference continued again in the evening.