Shocking Maori Living Conditions in Northland

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1938, Page 2

Shocking Maori Living Conditions in Northland

Describing the housing conditions of the Maoris in the North ns shocking,’’ the Government Committee of Inquiry into Maternity Services in its report to the Minister of Health, draws attention to the conditions under which many of the natives arc living. ••The area served by the Mangonui Hospital Board incorporates a population of 8750 of whom 3050 are Maoris, the committee’s report states. "There is a maternity annexe at Kaitaia with seven beds, in which 105 eases are attended per year, including -8 Maoris." It was stated by the medical superintendent of the hospital that Maoris are coming into hospital now in greater numbers than previously, and hero, as elsewhere, there was medical evidence of injuries caused by native methods of delivery. Shocking Stale. “The main problem is gonorrhoea, which is stated to affect a large number of the population. “Housing conditions arc shocking, and members of the committee visited some native homes which were mcrerly sheds made of old corrugated iron, full of holes, with mud floors, no water or washing facilities, and no sanitary conveniences. In this district Maori women were using condensed milk for their children. Mention was made of the need for education of the Maori men to treat their women with more consideration and to provide them with decent living conditions." It was stated that too much money is spent on drink, while women and children arc in want.

The report states that written complaints were received from Houhora of the lack of medical or nursing facilities for Maoris in that part of Northland. It is recommended by the committee that hospital accommodation •be increased in order that the hospital service for Maoris may be extende/1. and also that the district nursing service be extended to give greater antenatal and post-natal care. Rooms At Whangaroa Unsuitable. Reporting bn the Whangaroa Hospital Board district, the report states that the board has admitted the unsuitability of rooms and wards. Of the 29 cases attended in the past 12 months, eight wore Maoris. Proposals were under way for a maternity annexe, while extended staff accommodation was also being considered. “The deplorable conditions under which the Maoris are living in this district were also described,” the report continues. "Reference was made to the damage sustained by Maori women through native methods of delivery. The need for education among the Maori men in tiro Interests of their families was urged, it being stated that. many of them kept all their money, even sustenance, and spent it on drink, to the neglect of their women and children. Housing conditions are very bad.” Of a total population in the Bay of Islands Hospital Board area of 10,583. 4504 were Maoris. “Reference was made at the Kawakawa Hospital to the prevalence of scabies, impetigo, and gonorrhoea among Maoris, also to injuries sustained by Maori women through native methods of confinement,” states the committee. “Accommodation at this hospital is sufficient for the European population, but with increasing numbers of Maoris coming in, more hospital beds are now required. It is recommended that additional accommodation be provided at Kawakawa.”

More Equipment Needed. At Rawone, in the ITokianga Hospital Board’s area. 108 cases wore attended last year, of whom 36 were Maoris. Here, also, accommodation for Maoris was insufficient, the native birthrate being two and a-half times that of the European. Two district health nurses wore stationed hero, and one stated that she had attended. 14 Maori confinements in seven months, but the majority wore attended in their own homos, either by husband, relatives or Maori midwives. The committee recommends providing more maternity beds, staff and equipment, in order to cater for more Maori cases. In the Kaipara Hospital Board’s area, there are 1851 Maoris, out of a total population of 13.841. the report continues. Last year. 25 per cent, ol the cases treated by the board were Maoris, and it was stated that Maoris are encouraged to come into hospital to prevent the damage which results them labour under native conditions "The committee is of the opinion that with the movement of population away from the To Kopuru end of the district towards Dargaville. some provision for ante-natal care should be made in Eargavillc." states Ihe report. "11

is therefore recommended that an ante- ; natal clinic be established by the board in Dnrgaville. to be worked in ,• close co-operation with the Te Kopurn ; Hospital. The committee also recom- ; mends the extension of the district ‘mining service." Position iii Whangarei. j Regarding the Whangarei Hospital ’Board's area, the report states that '2121 of the total population of 20.280 j are Maoris. There is a 17-bed annexe at Whangarei. serving 300 annually, of I whom 12 per cent, are Maoris. ‘Only

I about 40 per cent, of cases attending j hospital receive ante-natal supervision, 1 and the medical superintendent states j that the hospital needs another doctor | in order to be able to give adequate | anto-natal and post-natal care.” the j report continues. "The district nurse | states that Maoris are being educated iup to ante-natal treatment, but the j majority of Maori women still have i their babies at homo and deliver them ; themselves, native fashion. More and i more are coming to the annexe, howI ever, and they arc' never refused, alj though difficulties arise through the ; prevalence among them of scabies and : vaginal discharges. The morbidity rate ! among Maoris is high, due to low condition of health, poor housing and lack i of bathing facilities.