WORKLESS RELIEF

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11760, 6 October 1932, Page 5

WORKLESS RELIEF

,f*i('LEA roll MAORI WORKLESS.' MR. COLEMAN HAS BRUSH WITH NATIVE MINISTER. “OPPONENTS DO NOT RECEIVE FAIR PLAY.” “NOT TRUE.” SAYS SIR A. T. NGATA. (Special to tlio Times). WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. When touching upon unemployment, Mr. • Coleman, ALP. for Gisborne, said the appeal by the member for the Southern Maori district For fair play for the Maori was very timely, because in the matter of unemployment relief a distinction was being made between the Maori and Top pakeha. In the Nuliaka district cases had come under his - notice where the Maori was..not getting fair play—Maoris with five and six children Avere being allotted ope day’s work a week'. That, of course, avus totally inadequate. “I do not altogether blame the Unemployment Hoard for that.” said Air. Coleman.

•‘I have been approached bv the board and its officer,*' tell me that it is not their desire that there ■Would be any discrimination, hut it is being made, nevertheless, and the pakelias in the district I have referred to take just as strong exception to it as do the Maoris. As a matter of fact, they stopped work as a protest against the treatment meted uut to the Maoris.” Mr. Coleman appealed to the Native Minister to take this matter in hand and see what he could do in that district. “I have,”.- lie said, “'interviewed various member,* of the committee in order to have the matter reetilied, and they argue that the standards of the Maori arc not so high as those of the pakeha. and they discriminate accordingly. The standard must be mighty low when ft is reckoned that a day's "work for a married man with six children is yuHicieut. The Maoris in the Wuiroa district .also complain strongly at the manner in Avhich relief Avork is 'being provided. It is alleged that the Native avlio is not a supporter of the present member of that district is not- receiving the treatment he shouldThe Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata: "That is not true.” Mr. Coleman: “I Ido not know whether it is true or not, hut it- hag been repeated to me time and time again that the Natives who are known, to be the opponents of the present Native member of the district have been victimised by the committee. I would like the Native Minister to interest himself in the matter, and, if he linds that the matter is as reported, have it remedied, because the providing of relief work 'should not be made a party question.'” The Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata; ‘‘lt is quite untrue.” Mr. Coleman: "f hope so. but the information has been given to me pretty authoritatively.'” Mr. Speaker: "The Minister explains that lie was referring to statements made outside the House, and not, to anything that has just been saiu by the honorable gentleman.” Mr. Coleman: ; ‘J understood that, .Sir —-that the ..Minister was not referring to me."