MINISTER HINTS AT ADVANCE FOR MAORI

Press, Volume C, Issue 29537, 12 June 1961, Page 14

MINISTER HINTS AT ADVANCE FOR MAORI

A hint that “one of the boldest schemes for the advancement of the Maori people” might be announced shortly was given yesterday by the Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Hanan). Mr Hanan was speaking at the dedication ceremony of the carved palisade and meeting house at the Rehua Maori apprentices’ hostel in Springfield. “I hope shortly to be able to give you details of a new drive to preserve for all time the concept of the intermingling of two peoples to form one.” he said. He said the Maori people today were facing a new migration—the move of many Maori people from the rural areas to the towns and cities looking for work. At the turn of the century there had been only 40 000 Maori people in New Zealand. but today there were 162.000. Many New Zealanders were very self-satisfied about the posi*ion of the Maori and race relationships, but now was the time for another look. There should be three and a half times as many apprentices. eight times as many university students and many more secondary school students among Maori boys and girls, he said. Unskilled Work “Many more Maori boys and girls are now seeking unskilled work. “We have given the Maori equality, but that is not enough. He has got to be encouraged, equipped and assisted to take the opportunities that are offered." Mr Hanan said.

Because of home conditions many Maori children were not getting equal opportunities with pakeba children in regard to studies. “That is why a hostel of this nature is of great importance.” Mr Hanan said that in Wellington next week a trade training hostel for Maori boys would be opened. Boys otherwise not available for apprenticeships would be able to go there and there would be special efforts by the educational authorities. “We are minded to do the same thing in Christchurch We hope that within some months we will have a technical training hostel for Maor’ boys in Christchurch.” Many Maori boys looking tor skilled work were coming south and South Island industries were calling for more workers. "We in the South Island have got to have another look at ourselves. It is increasingly likely that we will find the Maori is our neighbour. “We have to accept him as a neighbour and he has to accept us," he said. However, the increasing Maori population must not be looked on as a source of unskilled labour because this attitude in time would lead to racial problems. “There will be no submergence of the Maori people. Maori people are New Zealand people. "We are facing problems of the future that must be tackled now. We have to adjust our thinking, economics and outlook to what is happening before our eyes.’’ Mr Hanan added.