HOUSING MAORIS

Franklin Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6, 17 January 1941, Page 5

HOUSING MAORIS

QUESTION OF SITE FORMER DECISION REAFFIRMED DIFFERENCE OF OPINION . COMMUNITY SCHEME FAVOURED A sharp difference of opinion lias arisen between members of the Pukekohe Borough Council over the site in Victoria Street, on which it is proposed to erect four bouses for Maoris. It will be recollected that prior to Christmas the council by a small majority approved the site. At this week’s meeting Mr 0. T. Parvin, in accordance with notice of his intention to do so. moved that the resolution approving the site in \ ictoria street passed on November *2l be rescinded.

“Maoris Aid in General Welfare” The Akarana Maori Association, Auckland, wrote regarding the reported intention of the Deputy-Mayor, saying the association assumed that the principle of providing houses for Maori workers in Pukekohe was accepted, but that the location of same only was the subject of the proposed revision. The letter continued: “As these Maori people as market, garden workers aid in the general welfare of the borough and district generally, and as they expend most of their earnings with the tradesmen of Pukekohe, the association asks the council to give the Maori housing its sympathetic support and interest as requested by the Minister of Native Affairs. We would respectfully point out that the standard of living of these workers has in the past, and is at present, seriously atfected by the poor housing conditions. No appeal to the market garden proprietors to amend these conditions affecting the health and efficiency ol these workers, has had any effect. It would appear therefore, that if is a moral duty of the council to provide that in which private sources have failed. Whatever may be the decision as to the site of such houses to he provided, .the association hopes that, the housing scheme itself will be proceeded with and as far as possible be realised before tlie coming winter months.” Mr Parvin said he was not opposed to the principle of having better living accommodation provided tor Maoris, but he was opposed to the dwellings being erected on Victoria Street because in the first place the site was too close to a residential aiea, and secondly if houses for Maoris were erected there that would mean the end of the residential area extending toward the west. He said he favoured a community housing scheme where the tenants could be under the control of a responsible person. In this he had the support of the Maori missionaries at Pukekohe and Tuakau. He contended such a scheme was desuable because if a Maori settlement was established and a person put in charge it would be then possible for them to he given the medical attention so many of them required. At present they did not receive that attention because of the reluctance of the Maoris to seek medical advice. The death rate in consequence was abnormally high. He expressed the opinion that under a community housing scheme, that i*, houses erected on a property purchased for the purpose nol 100 near or too far away from the town, and under proper supervision. Ihe death rate could he reduced considerably because immediate attention could be ariven any individual falling sick. H" considered the scheme adopted by the Native Department was doomed to inilure. As far as Victoria and West Streets were concerned lie predicted that in 20 or 30 years' time they would lie two of the most important, residential areas in the borough, providing between the two a Maoii setth ment was not established. As soon as that took place expansion westwards would soon cease.

Air P. T. Field seconded the motion and said he endorsed Mr Parvin’s remarks. “Right through I have contended that the site is not the most desirable one in ihe interests of Ihe progress of the borough." he added.

Should be Near Where Maoris Work Mr W. H. Adams expressed the opinion that, it would be only a matter of years before all sections in West and Victoria Streets would be built on. Houses for Maoris should be erected as close as possible to their work. The town clerk, Mr W. T. Cheeseman, said that was the reason why Ihe Victoria Street sites bad been chosen. A number of Maoris were employed by growers in that locality. The Mayor. Mr J. Routly, said the contention that Victoria Street would be largely built on had nothing to substantiate it —it. was a mere statement. He claimed that the erection of houses for Maoris there would not he a detriment at all. After lengthy discussion the motion was lost by three votes to four. Voting was: For, Messrs Parvin, Field and Adams. Against: The Mayor, and Messrs F. J. Morrow, G. 11. Armstrong and A. F. Brown. The Mayor then moved that the matter of sites for four cottages for Maoris which the Department proposed erecting in Victoria Street he referred to Mr Parvin with power to enlist assistance and discuss the whole matter with the Minister and the Native Department. Seconded by Mr Field and carried. It was decided to reply to the Akarana Maori Association stating that the council was not moving in the matter further than approving or disapproving what the Department submitted. The effort to improve housing condition of Maoris was a Government one.