NATIVE AFFAIRS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22519, 29 September 1938, Page 9

NATIVE AFFAIRS

CO THR EDITOR OS TUB PRESS. Sir, —In your issue dated September 24 I noticed with no great deal of surprise that our esteemed “Pakeha Maori chief.” “Wiremu Teira,” has again taken unto himself, with no mistaken sincerity, the cudgel of Maori interest and welfare. Might I thus be permitted to make understood that I enter this discussion free of personal or political bias, drawing my conclusions from very evident and tnithful facts. lam of the opinion that no Government of New Zealand until Labour took control had given very serious consideration to native problems, thereby greatly increasing our handicap for decent and equitable existence alongside our pakeha brothers and sisDuring the term of office of the present Government considerable changes have taken place within the confines of our Maori settlements. Perhaps, to eliminate' confusion, it would be best to group the respective points I desire to raise. . , Group one. (a) Housing, hygiene, and sanitary: Housing has been earned out in Canterbury, West Coast, and Nelson districts, while the last two items apply to the entire South Island. To my mind, the above are the greatest essentials, as it is a well-known and established fact that every, person’s spiritual or mental education commences at our own firesides. (b) Education: Vast improvements have been made in educational facilities and environment. Motor conveyances have been supplied, and, in isolated cases, allowances have been granted for tuition through corresponden (c) Maori hand development; With all due respect to Labour’s predecessors who were originally responsible for the above, more economical and comprehensive methods have been adooted by the present Government. Owing to lack of undeveloped areas in Canterbury, very little has been expended in Canterbury. However, it is gratifying to note that Southland and Kaikoura districts have been extensively assisted. Group two. (a) Equality: A more humane interpretation of the above has been exploited. Viz.; Rates of pay on Public Works Department relief works and sustenance. , fbl Reading construction and Improvements. The Peninsula, Southland West Coast, and Nelson are the , er g %oS£»' la ¥h S . present system Is admittedly not quite the maximum ot efficiency. However, discrepancies are given judicial attention, and should judgment be given for the pensioner, adequate compensation 13 showed. an ■ ‘advisory°' capa but °I sincerely trust that every Maori elector when called upon to exercise his °r her vote will employ the .maximum of mental reasoning, realising the already disclosed position, and that they are partly responsible for the future social standard of our * te V B. MANAWATU. ' September 27, 1938.