WELFARE OF MAORIS

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 21, 19 October 1944, Page 6

WELFARE OF MAORIS

30 Tribes Represented At Conference PROBLEMS DISCUSSED Upward of 400 delegates representing 30 tribes from all parts, of New Zealand were present for the opening in Wellington yesterday of a conference having as its purpose the general welfare of the Maori people. The agenda covers a wide range of subjects. The conference is regarded as unique in Maori history in bringing together all sections with- the object of discussions and decisions treed from political, tribal or religious divSl< Th'e chairman and master of ceremonies was Mr. E. T. Tirikatene, Minister representing the Maori race on the Executive Council. The (Rev. W. Hewitu, Taurauga, was the interpreter, lliere were also present Mr. Kingi Tahiwi, president of the Ngati I’oneke people, Messrs. T. Omana and*l. P. laikea, M.P.'s. and R. Mawhcte, M.L.C. Preliminary addresses were given by the invited representatives of the churches Father Reardon (Roman Catholic), the Rev. J. G. Lawton (Presbyterian), President Cowley (Mormon), and the Rev. G. Laurenson (Methodist), all emphasizing the need for the Maori people to express themselves definitely and with unanimity. President Cowley, an American, said it was his experience that the Maori did not want to be regarded as a race to be humoured, but to be invested with responsibility. It was his experience that the Maori could assume responsibility, and if there was anything that preserved the democratic way ot life it was the self-reliance of the individual, the family and the race. That self-reliance must be aspired to, attained and held. , , . The Prime Minister and his party were greeted on arrival with a rousing haka, the translation of which was: “Draw hither the canoe of Maoridom to its anchorage—all together, unity, unity.” Prime Minister s Address.

Congratulations were extended by Mr. Fraser to Mr. Tirikatene and his Maori colleagues in Parliament on the representative nature of the gathering. He said he had been informed' that every tribe in New Zealand was either represented or would be represented during the conference. He regretted that illness bad prevented the attendance of Bishop Bennett, and suggested that a message of sympathy and hope for a speedy recovery be sent. They had assembled for the purpose of taking into consideration the past, and the present which was so pregnant with possibilities for the future. They were the descendants of a truly great race, which had revealed great courage, resource and careful planning, .those qualities had been revealed magnificently by members of the, Maori Battalion in Greece, Crete, Libya and Italy, and by Maori members of the other armed services. “Those qualities—coolness, daring, gentlemanljness —we want. and above all common sense in addressing ourselves to the problems that confront us today.” , The problem was how to bring progress. social justice and stability permanently to the people. Tributes to the work of’those who had played a prominent part in Maori affairs in Parliament in the past was paid by Mr. Fraser. But, he said, much remained to be achieved. Particular reference was made to housing, school buildings., education, sautation, and lack of hygienic methods, particularly in relaton to tuberculosis. The war bad unfortunately interfered with plans, notably that for dealing with tuberculosis, but it would be taken up again at the appropriate moment. The Government wanted the co-operation and understanding of the Maorj people in dealing with these problems. The gathering afforded ample evidence that the Maori people were anxious to help in the planning of their own destinies. That did not mean necessarily that what had been achieved in the past should be discarded. The good should be retained and strengthened, but some of the methods of the past would require to be replaced. The Prime Minister emphasized that in the matter of the economic and social welfare of the Maori the medium through which such affairs should reach the Government was the Native Department. Other Ministers Speak.

Much of the sense of frustration under which Maoris had laboured in the past had, he believed, been removed, though there was still ’much to achieve, said the Native Minister, Mr. Mason. He dealt with proposed legislation for the consolidation of Maori lands. They all knew how Maori land settlement had been held up by the division of ownership. This was a matter of the first importance and should be pushed ahead as a preliminary to land development. Mr. Mason dealt with the committees set. up for eaeh district. More rapid progress was to be expected as /manpower and materials became more freely available. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Roberts, said he hoped to be in a position later in the conference to make some remarks on the question of agriculture and horticulture for Maoris. (Applause.) He stressed, however, that whatever the Government decided would be dependent largely on the self-reliance and self-determination of the Maori people themselves. They were assembled to discuss and exchange views ou physical, economic, industrial, social and moral well-being, both in relation to themselves and their pakeha friends, said Mr. Tirikatene. 'These problems must be approached not only from a tribal standpoint, but from the viewpoint of the people as a whole and with strict honesty of purpose. A great responsibility rested on the conference in putting forward recommendations for better co-operation. During the afternoon discussion took place on the following subjects:—Rights aud privileges of the Maori race; education and vocational training; health, housing and sanitation ; Maori war effort and rehabilitation; Maori councils and future polipy I ' a,, d and claims. Committees were set up to bring down reports on the discussions.