SCHOOLS FOR MAORIS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29548, 24 June 1961, Page 9

SCHOOLS FOR MAORIS

Abolition Urged “It is time we did away with Maori schools," said Mr J. M. Karetai, chairman of the executive of the Canterbury Maori tribal committees, yesterday afternoon. Mr Karetai was speaking at a ceremony at which the Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Associatoin presented Bumside High School with a wall and seat round cabbage trees at the school. “I do not doubt that we must have a look at the 29 per cent, of Maori children in Maori schools,” said Mr Karetai. School children began to mix on playgrounds, Mr Karetai said. The older ones tended to stand apart and size things up. Maori people should strive in every way open to them to educate the younger Maoris. “We must be prepared to take our place in the future of this country—a future to be enjoyed by both European and Maori," he said. Skilled Trades The Government Statistician had said that by 2000 A.D. there would be 703,000 Maoris in New Zealand, Mr Karetai said. “We must take our place, not just as the labour force, but in the skilled trades and professions.” The Maori people, like the European people, tended to be a bit nonchalant about education, he said. The Maori people were a bit optimistic, too. Mr Karetai quoted parts of the Hunn report. He said there were only 75 Maoris in New Zealand universities at present. “A lot is talked about integration, and I do not use the word much. We are two different people, and the key to integration lies in the hands of these young persons here,” said Mr Karetai.