MAORI WELFARE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22582, 10 March 1948, Page 6

MAORI WELFARE

CONFERENCE OPENS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 10-Thirty-three Maori welfare officers from all parts of the Dominion are attending a four-day conference which opened in Wellington yesterday. These officers, who include 11 women stationed mainly in the cities, are working under the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act passed by Parliament in 1945. The conference is mainly of an instructive and educational nature. The officers were welcqmed by the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, as Minister of Native Affairs. He expressed his deep interest .in the work of the officers as the welfare of the Maori race depended so much on the success of their activities, particularly so when the Maori population was increasing so rapidly and the land resources available to the Maori race were receding. It would be for the welfare officers to help with the absorption of Maoris Into the industrial and commercial life of the community. One of their tasks would be to show the Maori people the way to take advantage of the educational facilities available to them on the same footing as pakehas. Mr. E. T. Tirikatene, member of the Executive Council representing the Maori race, also welcomed the officers and endorsed the remarks of the Prime Minister. Administrative matters were discussed by the conference, which was addressed by the controller of Maori welfare, Mr. Rangi Royal, the Undersecretary of the Department of Maori Affairs. Mr. G. P. Shepherd, and the chief clerk of the department, Mr. N. W. Smith. . . ~ The conference will continue until Fridav.