MAORI WOMEN IN MARKET GARDENS

Evening Star, Issue 20322, 2 November 1929, Page 12

MAORI WOMEN IN MARKET GARDENS

MISSIONARY DEFENDS THEIR VIRTUE RESPECTABLE AS THEIR CRITICS [Pkk United Press Association.) TE AROHA, November 1. In an interview to-aay the Rev. A. J. Seamer, general superintendent of New Zealand home missions, replied to criticism by the Akarana Maori Mission regarding his attitude towards the employment of Maori women by Chinese market gardeners. Mr Seamer said bo was 'ho chief executive officer of the mission that had been doing educational and social work amongst the Maori people for 107 years, which counted its active Maori workers by thousands, which had on, its executive staff more Maori workers than the total Maori membership, actual and proper of the Akarana Association, and which spent more in one month in its efforts for the amelioration of the Maori than the association had ever passed through its books.

“It is rather amusing,” ho said, “to say I am not competent to express an opinion. The position we take up is as follows:

“1. Maori women work in Chinese market gardens because there is no more suitable employment offering. “2. Very few single women accept such employment except in company with their guardians. “ 3. The accusation made by the Akarana Association last week against the employers of ‘sinister purposes’ is unfair, and should be withdrawn. “4. There are very few half-caste Maori Chinese children, and most of these few have been born in wedlock. “5. We have more trouble with various types of European profligates than with the Chinese in market gardens, for most of _ these gardeners are honest, hardworking men. “6. From sentimental and racial standpoints our mission is strongly opposed to the intermingling of the Chinese and the Maori, but we love fair play. '■ 7. Almost all Maori women working in market gardens are struggling to earn sufficient to purchase the necessaries of life for themselves and their dependents, and they should he treated with respect. They are quite as respectable as their critics.” Concluding. Mr Seamer said:—“lt is highly desirable that efforts be made to guard the interests of the Maori workers, whether engaged by Europeans in their gardens and vineyards or by Chinese, and we shall ' assist every legitimate effort in this direction. We congratulate tho Pukekoho Maori Committee on its constructive policy.”