Maori Conference Urges Watch On Ship Visitors

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28251, 12 April 1957, Page 14

Maori Conference Urges Watch On Ship Visitors

Detailed reports- of instances of young Maori girls being lured aboard ships in Auckland were made to the Maori Women’s Welfare League Conference in Christchurch yesterday. The retiring president of the league (Mrs W. Cooper) told the conference, that immediate and severe steps would have to be taken to combat a growing social problem which had assumed degrading proportions. Reports of President Obviously moved while describing visits she had made to vessels berthed at Auckland, Mrs Cooper lapsed into her native tongue. Interpreters summarised her report as follows:

“I have seen many Maori women aboard these ships in terrible conditions. They have, been naked among groups of seamen; completely degraded. Many Maori girls are coming into the city from country areas and are being lured on to these ships. Pakeha women were also on the ships. “I spoke to them and they told me they were permitted to stay on these ships until 11 o’clock at night. That is the law, but the law cannot buy you.

“Pakeha women have tricked many girls into meeting parties of sailors at their homes, too. Many girls have innocently believed these women to be friends, interested in them. They have been» asked to come to their homes and when they have arrived -they have found these

hovels filled with seamen who are there for only one thing. “I do not say that all these girls are misled. Many must go of their own accord, but they need immediate protection. The position is more serious than many of you who have not seen for yourself could imagine,” she said. Other delegates supported Mrs Cooper’s views, and they said that girls in other areas near ports were being similarly treated. If the law prevented any action before 11 o’clock (the time up to which a woman may be aboard a ship with the master’s permission or the permission of hi? spokesman) other assistance from the police would be necessary. Remit Opposed A remit suggesting the banning of Maori women from ships visiting New Zealand was opposed because delegates considered this would be violating the rights of the individual. It could even lead to the nonacceptance of Maori women aboard ships as passengers, some said. Also, many Maori women who today had important posts in the commercial or welfare world would be seriously affected. It was decided that the president’s remarks be carried back to individual councils and that an effort be made to warn mothers.

An approach will be made to the Police Department to attempt to have closer watch kept by wharf police.