DRIFT OF MAORIS TO AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 269, 10 August 1938, Page 10

DRIFT OF MAORIS TO AUCKLAND

Problem For Authorities Dominion Special Service. Auckland, August 9. With many leaving their homes in the north to obtain a precarious livelihood in the city, the drift of Maoris to Auckland has become pronounced in recent months. By no means a recent social development, the movement ias presented a constant problem to the authorities and, with many families living in decadent areas of the city, tlie position is stated to have reached an acute stage. Every attempt is made to discourage Maoris from taking up residence under such distinctly unfavourable conditions in the city. The relief department of tlie hospital board, as well as the Labour Department, endeavours to persuade them to return to their homes, but there are numerous eases where, after six months’ residence, they become eligible for charitable aid and receive assistance. A number of Native men are in receipt of sustenance. The opinion'was expressed that an effort should be made to impress upon Maoris living in the country that there was no proper accommodation for them in the city, and that far greater opportunities were presented to them if they remained in their homes. Numerous cases are quoted where Native families are living under the most unhealthy and uusat. factory conditions in decadent are. » of Auckland.