To Discuss Crime Among Maoris

Northern Advocate, 31 May 1949, Page 4

To Discuss Crime Among Maoris

AUCKLAND, Tue. (Sp.)—With a view to discussing the increase of crime among Maoris a deputation led by the Bishop of Aotearoa (the Rt. Rev. F. E. Bennett) will wait on the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser). An assurance that he would meet such a deputation was given by Mr Fraser last night. “The question has already been discussed with the representative of the Maori race oh the Executive Concil, Mr Tirikatene,” he said. > Mr Fraser said that Mr Tirikatene was also distressed by what seemed to be an exceptional excess of lawbreaking, some of it very serious, on the part of the younger Maoris. However, it was only to be expected that following the -'>cial upheaval inevitably caused by war there would be an abnormal period until matters were readjusted. “While deeply regretting the amount of crime by individual Maoris, one must not be unduly depressed, or be a party to exaggerating the difficulty, ’ he said. “Everything possible must be done to reduce very largely crime among tire young Maori people by giving them better opportunities. “But when I study the history of the race, and think of the great men, including Bishop Bennett himself, and able women who have already come from their ranks, instead of feeling pessimistic I feel certain that its future will be a very great one indeed,"