Maori leader critical of report

Press, 7 June 1983, Page 2

Maori leader critical of report

PA Auckland A report on abuse of Maori women and children has misinterpreted many basic Maori philosophies, says the chairman of the Maori Council, Sir Graham Latimer. The abuse of Maori children which did occur could be blamed mainly on the economy, he said in an interview at Taipuha, Northland. Sir Graham’s criticism was levelled at the report, released late last week by the Mental Health Foundation, which summarises papers given to a child abuse prevention symposium in Palmerston North last November.

In it, a Rotorua voluntary worker, Mr David Loughlin, said Maori women were abused, degraded and blamed for problems within the family. Mr Loughlin said the status of both the Maori woman and child must be raised to equal Maori elders if child-abuse rates were to be reduced.

The marae today was devoid of the kaumatua (the wise men), he said. “For today, we see the elders who profess to be deemed kaumatua who are not wise men, often or not who drink too much, who meet change with ignorance.”

Sir Graham said yesterday that the paper had misinterpreted many basic Maori philosophies. Children were told to be quiet not for the sake of it, but so they could learn, he said.

“The basic philosophy of Maoridom is that all the riches you have are of no value if you have no friends or family close to you, no children who can comfort you when you are old and when you need them.”