MANA LETTERS

Mana (Auckland), Volume 2, Issue 4, 18 May 1978, Page 2

MANA LETTERS

Sir, Shopping in Wellington recently, I found that prices of Island foods were in general extremely excessive and beyond the pockets of most workers in this country. Examples were dalo (taro) — small — 49 cents per lb; coconuts ranging from 49 to 60 cents for a small one, and 65 cents for a medium one. The conditions of the foods left much to be desired — the dalo were mostly dried-up, of poor quality and not worth the price. The coconuts even the small ones were expensive, dried up and in some cases going bad. How much longer will NZ importers rip-off the islands by overpricing in this country but limiting the amounts imported in order to curtail the market and artifically keep prices high, and the importers profits? It is time for a full enquiry into the importing and marketing of island foods in New Zealand. Toby Truell (General Secretary) CORSO Congratulations to TE REO MAORI for persuading TV2’s Director-General Mr Allan Martin to recruit more Maoris into the television scene and to promote more Maori participation in programming and screen entertainment. Language courses are planned for TV2 staff so that perhaps at last news reporters could pronounce the Maori or non-Maori Polynesian news stories correctly. Just imagine if a Maori newscaster started mispronouncing the Prime Minister’s name as Mud-dung. Surely a Te Reo Pakeha Society will be petitioning or protesting for what Te Reo Maori has been struggling for since 1975. NICE ONE RANGI!

Dear Sir, The New Lynn Natter Club and Children’s Play Group is held every Friday morning between 10-12 noon in the old infant block of the New Lynn School, Seabrook Ave. Our group represents 60 mothers and 65 children. We have been operating since August last year. We enjoy each other’s company over a “cuppa” while the children have free, and organised play with the equipment provided, under their parents supervision. Most of the children are under four years, and several women have two tots or more. Some have no children. Many are struggling financially to make ends meet so we are basically interested in providing opportunities to form friendships where lonely people can help each other and themselves, and children have the chance of playing with others at their own age level. From this, we are able to match up ladies who live within walking distance to each other, that they can visit each other and organise babysitting amongst themselves. We have several solo mothers. We have children frustrated by not being able to talk much, and the playing facilities provide the necessary outlet they need. We are not a play centre. We have very young mothers who are looking for advice on

routine and baby care. We are not specialists but just “talking about things” brings many problems into perspective. Our ages range from 20 to late 30, with two grandmothers. We are non denominational and multi racial and extend a very warm welcome to everyone. We try to be self supporting and have a flexible fee of $3 a’ term and 20 cents per family per week, for a cuppa for mothers and cordial and biscuits for the children. Anyone who just cannot meet these fees is still welcome to come and no-one else need know but the President. Our “community outreach project” has exceeded all our expectations with the response we have had but there is still plenty of room for more families. We have women teaching each other crafts such as crochet, macrame etc. and next term will be having speakers visiting us, with talks on child care and development; for those who wish to attend. Life in the city can be very lonely, particularly for those whose families and grandparents live far away and there is no-one to turn to. We hope, in a small way to fill the gap in this respect. We extend a very warm welcome to you all. JAN HARRIS, President New Lynn Natter Club and Play Group Phone 873-883