HEALTH OF MAORIS

Evening Star, Issue 21711, 4 May 1934, Page 12

HEALTH OF MAORIS

BELOW EUROPEAN STANDARD NATIVES’ IMPOVERISHED CIRCUMSTANCES {Per United Press Association.] WHANGAREI, May 4. The Native Affairs Commission commenced its sittings here this morning. Dr Cook, medical officer of health in the north, said that the health of the Natives in general was considerably below the European standard. Poverty was one of the main causes. The majority were living in impoverished, struggling circumstances. The only remedy was to get them back on the land. The development scheme would improve the Maoris’ health conditions. During the past two years there had been a slight improvement. Matthew Finlay, farm director of the Native Department, stationed at Whaugarei, detailed the preliminary steps in the development scheme, saying that the Native Minister took no part in the meetings held of various officers. Consolidation had to be neglected when development work commenced., Areas were not definitely defined, and trouble occurred through some people considering themselves entitled to land occupied by others. There had been no lavish expenditure, and the majority of Maoris were most careful about their expenditure. The success of the scheme depended on personal supervision. The number of supervisors was inadequate.