THE MAORI RACE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 28, 2 August 1923, Page 4

THE MAORI RACE

RISK OF EXTINCTION

DISPROPORTION OF SEXES.

The disproportion of sexes in the Maori population,, a factor which has been 'viewed \tith: apprehension for some years, is commented on .in- the annual report of the Health' Department, which ■ records" a - satisfactory improvement. .-. Authorities ■ consider that when the preponderance of;males-over females becomes excessive it spells race extinction. In 1891 the number of females per 1000 males was 832. The number of females since then has steadily increased to 890 in 1921. In the previous census of 1916 it reached 919, but as there were such a large number of males absent on war service, it was not a true racial proportion. From statistics gathered by the Maori hygiene office from Native school teachers, the proportion of females is still further increased. For 4500 Native school children the proportion of females to 1000 males was 926. As this forms some indication of _the race of the near future, the risk of extinction by an excessive preponderance of males seems to be disappearing.

Referring to the dilution of the Native race, the report states that though the total population, as shown by census returns, has been increasing, it does not follow that the Maori will continue to exist as a distinct full-blooded race. The greater European population by its very increase is rendering the Maori sparser and sparser, as it were, in the total population of the country. In 1891 there were 14.9 -Europeans to one Maori. This has steadily increased, until in 1921 there vere 23.6 Europeans to one Maori. This increasing external dilution must prove a factor in affecting the distinctive cultui-e: of the Maori, and with better education and. improving material conditions lead to internal dilution through increasing intermarriage. - ■ - - •