Maori Foundation Aid Or Hindrance?

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 12

Maori Foundation Aid Or Hindrance?

(New Zealand Press Association)

GISBORNE, April 18. “Many of us feel that the special treatment given to the Maori has been more of a hindrance than a help ini his advance towards racial equality,” said Miss F. F. Duff, principal of Gisborne Girls’ High School, referring to the Maori Education Foundation in a report to the school’s board of governors tonight.

“Is this going to be another instance of special concessions?” Miss Duff asked. “The educational opportunities are there now, but the tragedy is that the Maori does not take advantarge of them. “I cannot see that more money is going to bring about any very desirable and essentia] change of attitude towards education. I think there is too much unrealistic and even sentimental talk about the Maori peopie and

their problems, often by those who do not live in communities with a large proportion of Maoris.

"The Maori alre. ty has the same educational opportunities as the European. There are many factors besides money and education which must be taken into consideration in dealing with this question of racial equality. “Social conditions and living standards and the whole question of integration must also be taken into account. “If the imagination of the Maori people is caught by the idea, so that they themselves support the foundation wholeheartedly, perhaps it will become, as the Minister said, ’a most dynamic agency whereby this lack of educational opportunity could be overcome.’ ” The rector of the Gisborne Boys’ High School (Mr A. J. Gray) recommended the board to support the foundation “because we have a clear responsibility to the large Maori population in this area. The foundation may not achieve all that it sets out to do, but it should bring a considerable improvement in Maori educational standards and have the great advantage of being a positive approach.”

The board agreed to pay £2O towards life membership of the foundation.