Maoris Seek Centennial Hostel

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1939, Page 10

Maoris Seek Centennial Hostel

Efforts are being made by the SubZone A Maori Centennial Committee to .establish a Maori hostel in Whanghrei, as a Centennial memorial At a meeting of the committee yesterday the form of a suitable memorial was discussed. Two principal objects, were suggested—a hostel and a college. After considerable discussion it was decided to favour the idea of establishing a hostel. Th£ Mayor of Wh'angarei, Mr W, Jones, while praising the suggestion for erecting a college, thought the cost—£4o,ooo or £so,ooo—would be too great.

Hardship For Maoris.

Mr Jones quoted several instances wherok Maoris had a difficulty, in obtaining (accommodation in Whangarei. An institution to overcome this problem would be a ..fine gesture, he said. Mr Jones appealed for co-opera-tion in the project. He himself would do all he could to establish such an institution. - \

All funds raised by the Mao*L .people! would be subsidised by the Government on a £1 for £3 basis, Mr Jones said. 1 Mr W. Kake thought, that the college scheme should be sponsored. He wanted something that would be of use to the rising geheratioh. Future Will Benefit. Mr Jones, in reply, said that the hostel would be of use as the rising generation would not have to put up with the same conditions as now existed. He sympathised with Mr Kake in his enthusiasm for the college. It was a magnificent idea, but the difficulties in the way might be too gre'at, he thought. When put to the meeting the suggestion to establish a hostel for the benefit of Whangarei and the whole of the North was adopted unanimously. An additional suggestion that help should be sought from ether sub-zone committees was' also adopted. The sub-zone. A 5 Committee is to be asked if a Maori. delegate cannot attend each meeting as a representative iii connection with the Centenary Week celebrations in February of next year.