MAORI WELFARE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 263, 5 October 1936, Page 5

MAORI WELFARE

FEDERATION AT WORK. IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS. Per Press Association. ROTORUA, Oct. 2. At to-day’s conference of representatives of Maori organisations in all parts of New Zealand, the constitution of the newly-formed Maori and Pakelia Federation was discussed and approved. The objects of the federation are to promote Maori social and economic well-being by every possible means, and it ivas stipulated that it was to be strictly a ncn-political and non-sectarian body. It was decided that the headquarters of the body for the first year should be in Rotorua, the headquarters thereafter to be decided at the annual meetings. The first officers of the federation will be as follow:—President, Mr Hemana Pokilia (Rotorua) ; secretary, Major 11. Dansey (Rotorua) ; treasurer, Mr D. Tatero (Dannevirke) ; auditor, Mr M. R. Jones (Hawera); publicity officer, Mr W. E. Bullivant (Gisborne) ; executive committee, Mr Turi Carroll (YYairoa), Rev. Mr Laughton (Taupo). Messrs T. Hetet (Te Kuiti), J. Asher (Tokaanu) G. Elliott (Te Kuiti). E. Edwards (Taranaki), T. Bennett (Wanganui), and W. Bird Murupara). The conference discussed the question of the Maori council system, and decided to recommend to the Government that it he retained, but that the powers and authority ol: the members of the councils be widened. _ The opinion was expressed that, owing to the fact that the councils had no way _of enforcing their authority or collecting finance, their prestige and mnna had suffered.

Concern regarding the extent to which liquor was undermining the morals and health of the Maori race was expressed by a number of delegates during the course of a long discussion, and the matter was referred to a special sub-committee to draft an appropriate resolution for submission to the Government.

Mr Turi Carroll, Gisborne, expressed the opinion that the differentation against the Maoris under the licensing laws was making them back-door drinkers. Chinamen and negroes could obtain liquor in New Zealand where the Maori was denied.

Archdeacon R. Hodgson, Rotorua, said that strong steps should be taken to prevent the sale of the second grade liquor which was dispensed in so many New Zealand hotels. The true remedy was not prohibition hut self-control. He considered something should be done to counteract the activities of the large hotel combines, and that the Maori should be protected against bad liquor. Last night the conference discussed the question of Maori health and decide to recommend to the Government that the strength of the Native Nursing Division be increased so as to make it possible for Native nurses to give attention to a larger number of Natives.

It was also decided to ask the Government to restore the Native Hygiene Department, the opinion being expressed that the action of the previous Government in abolishing this department was a retrograde step.

The Government was congratulated on its decision to establish a national health insurance scheme.