Old attitudes reflected

Press, 2 March 1984, Page 16

Old attitudes reflected

The following excerpts come from a report in “The Press” of Friday, March 5,1909, about the opening of the school. While some might be regarded as “discriminating” or “racist” by today’s standards, theywere well-meant in the Edwardian society of the tinie, and therefore should not be construed as a provocation to highlight divisions in Maori and pakeha relationships. Each comment was made by a speaker at the school’s'opening. The comments also reflect the change of attitudes" and priorities placed on society since the report was written 75 years ago. • “The scheme is not to. only give the pupils mental and physical

training, but also to instruct them in domestic economy,. with the view of helping them to assist in desirable reforms when they return to their native settlements.” — the Rev. Fraer. • “The girls might be trained to make good wives for dairy farmers, as most of the Maoris had a piece of land, and there was no better occupation for them than working and living on the soil.” — unknown. . < “There was a necessity in the Maori race, as in all races, to provide good mothers; as without good mothers there must be decadence.” — Minister of . Internal Affairs, D. Buddo. - j

• -“... for some years past the Government had been sending the brightest girls to similar secondary schools in the North Island. The subjects taught were not the socalled high school subjects in the .European schools — that would be a waste of time.” — the inspector of “native schools,” Mr W. W. Bird.

• "In the kaingas (areas) be had seen there were a great many fine girls, but there was a want of the atmosphere which Mr Fraer had referred to. The atmosphere was frequently far from religious, and many of the Maoris had degenerated through their contact with certain classes of Europeans.” — Canon Coates, of Christchurch.