MAORIS DYING FAST

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12965, 14 September 1936, Page 3

MAORIS DYING FAST

DEATH DOLL DOUBLE THAT OF • PAKEHAS TENFOLD NUMBER- OF’ TUBERCULOSIS VICTIMS DR. TURBOTT’S DISQUIETING STATEMENT HAMILTON, Sept. 11. That Maoris are <lying twice as fast as pakebas, that babies up to •one year succumbed over three tines (as frequently, an'd. that tuberculosis claimed over ten times the 'number of victims, were disquieting facts disclosed by the medical officer of health i’n Hamilton, l)r. .11. B. Turbott, in a statement to tin?’ Waikato Hospital. Board when he gave a tentative outline of (ho Hcialth Department's proposals for reticulating the extens vo W'nlkato district witu a widespread nurw’ng system. “La; t year typhoid fever fatally affected llfi times, more Mamrs than pakehas. Approximately seven Maori mothers die in childbirth lo every four pakelin mothers”, ,he added. “This .stnt/:.' of affairs constitutes a eh ail-, ngo to. the pakehas of New Zealand.” .it was obvious from the do’.Uh j-atea !«* had quoted Maoris were dy : ng for lack of correct- medical care faulty knowledge of health, . and wrong cairo .of the sick. Maori mothers were letting too many babies die, while tuberculosis caused many deaths, helped by bad lums ng and too often Ixul drat. Typhoid fever would continue to claim its regular victims until Maori hous : ng and sanitation wore on a standard equal to European. Maori mothers too often died at child-birth from lack ot antenatal care. Dr Turbott strongly stressed the necessity for the settlement of .natives on small alloimenls which had been a marked success in the East Cape distr’ei. WbXL-BEING OF MAORIS CONFERENCE AT ROTORUA ROTORUA. Sept. 11. Following the recent conference in Wellington between members oi’ the Government and representatives of the Maori race. it. was decided at a subsequent meeting held in TXumevirlce to form a national orgravsaUcm consisting of both 'pakehas and Maoris to co-operate with the ’•Government in promoting the well-being of Maoris If. has now been d.cided to convene a. further conference in Rotorua on October 1. when the esmsfitution and policy o : ' the neiv mg aC-at ion will be discussed. Tuviie.t.ions arc bo'ni; >entto intern it d ovganisaUoms and iuu - viduals in both islands.