THE MAORI CENSUS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 46, 23 August 1911, Page 7

THE MAORI CENSUS.

A OHEEUFUL OUTLOOK. The final results of the Maori census were submitted to Parliament yester' day. In his report Mr. T. W. Fisher, Under Secretary for Native Affairs, states that the total of the Maori race wafe found to be 49,350,' an increase of" 1617 since the previous census. Mr. Fisher point? out that the increase is? due solely to an excess of births over deaths. In the same period the number of half-castes has increased by 266. The health of the natives has been generally gootl, and m«dieal aid haa been provided where necessary by the Native Health Department, a number of the medical oftioer* and dispenser* have been stibsidie*d, attd the services of native school teachers have, also boen utilised. During the last five, years, he adds, there ha« been a considerable change as regard* the observance of fanitary laws by the native population. It is evident that the Maoris are beginning to realise that the excessive mortality, affiongs* their children especially, haa been caused .to a large extent by insanitary conditions .prevalent in their settlements. While Maoris have ■in the past shown some indifference to t-hp -exhortations of European medical men, now that the matter has. been taken in hand by their own leading chiefs, they may be expected to follow out more strictly the instructions given. The diffua'on of knowledge must tend to uplift the Maori. The transforming powers of education and association are at work, and must in time have their effect-. The village schools are steadily improving the standard of knowledge among the Maori people as a whole, while the higher schools turn out a number of intelligent youiig fellows who waat only the opportunity to show the value of the training they have reoeh?' cd. t Suitably openings in, the public service are ■ limited, but tfie Government has displayed a sympathetic regard far deserving Maori youths wherever possible. Crime does no* prevail in any marked degree. The saMve§ as a whole are becoming more and mere temperate ' every year. • The drunken orgies that were once common s-re jfl a great measure thihgs of the Ba*t. t In several of the reports reference is made to their adoption of the European of living: some are sheefi-farmefP, others cultivate their land, while others again engage in various forms of remunerative labour. Every I year the spread of settlement brings] them ante closer touch with their | pakeha neighbours, and subjects them to the influence of .European, example.