Resettlement Defended

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32114, 9 October 1969, Page 28

Resettlement Defended

(N.Z. Press Association)

ROTORUA, Oct. 8.

The resettlement scheme for Tokelau Islanders in the Taupo and Rotorua areas was today defended by two senior officers of the Maori and Island Affairs Department in Rotorua.

In Parliament yesterday, Mr P. A. Amos (Lab.,| Manurewa) said that the

scheme was not going as smoothly as it should. Families appeared to have been given houses with no floor coverings, Mr Amos said. Also, the Islanders were expected to undertake hirepurchase agreements to provide themselves with consumer goods like washing machines. “These people come from a very different culture, they have no idea of a cash economy, and climatic conditions here help to make their position very difficult,” Mr Amos said. Fares Paid The department's district officer in Rotorua (Mr J..H. W. Barber) said today that families brought to New Zealand under the scheme had their fares paid by the Government, were fed on the way to their new homes, and on arrival in Rotorua or Taupo were provided with a $l6O clothing allowance for every adult over 14 years and $BO for each child. They went into rental homes which included bedding, chest of drawers, washing machine, refrigerator, all kitchen equipment, dining tables and chairs, blinds, heaters and floor mats.

“We also give them something for the lounge where

posible and food is provided free for two weeks.”

Mr Barber said the department was budgeting for $BOO to equip each house when the scheme started, but it had been found “too tight” and about four months ago was increased to $l2OO. Mr Barber said the houses which Mr Amos visited contained families who had only just arrived in New Zealand and though floor mats were not then in the houses, there was linoleum covering the kitchen, bathroom and lavatory and wash-house floors. “We were then working under the $BOO budget,” he said. “Very Frugal” A senior welfare officer, Mr J. Rangihau, who has worked extensively among the Tokelauan families, said they had a good idea of the value of money. "They are very frugal,” he said. “To my mind they carry it to a fault I feel they send off too much back to their families in the islands.” Mr Rangihau said it was not generally recognised how careful the Tokelau Islanders were with their money. Of 27 families, only one had given any trouble and the $4OO debt it incurred had now been paid.