EDUCATION STANDARDS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29742, 8 February 1962, Page 18

EDUCATION STANDARDS

Opportunities For Maoris (N.Z. Press Association) WAITANGI. February 7. The Government in its desire to promote equal opportunities and harmony for both the Maoris and pakeha had resolved that “our education standards must be equal for all,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) speaking at Waitangi Day celebrations. “At the moment they are not.’’ he said. “Too many Maori children leave school before they have gained proper education qualifications.

“This is a trend which is leading to waste of ability and intelligence which is in a high degree in our Maori children.” Establishment of the Maori Education Foundation would materially assist towards a full realisation of the racial harmony of which New Zealanders were so proud, he said. But it must be fostered carefully and energetically if it was to grow. Maori Population “We are in the midst of change," Mr Holyoake said. “Today the 170.000 Maori people represented one-six-teenth of the population of the Dominion. In 40 years the Maori population could become 700,000, one-seventh of the total population. “This too could be a challenge and our claim to national harmony will be much more severely tested as Maori and European compete as they should in all spheres of our national life,” he said. “This will require understanding, restraint and unselfishness. These should be the qualities to which we rededicate ourselves today. “If we are to realise our aims for the future then we must make active provision for such now.”