P.M. Quotes Survey Of Whangarei's ’15' Hotels

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1949, Page 4

P.M. Quotes Survey Of Whangarei's ’ls' Hotels

WELLINGTON, Thu. (Sp.).—The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) said in the House of Representatives last night that there were six hotels in Kaitaia, 10 in Hokianga, five in Kaikohe, and 15 in Whangarei. In actual fact there is one hotel in Kaitaia, six in Hokianga, one in Kaikohe, and three in Whangarei. If Mr Fraser was referring to the number of hotels on an electoral basis, the number in Hobson is 25, against his figure of 21, while in the Marsden electorate there are 12 hotels against his figure of 15 hotels for Whangarei. The only towns in Northland with more than one hotel are Whangarei (3), Dargaville (3), and Kawakawa (2). The House was discussing drinking among Maoris.

Mr Fraser quoted from a report compiled by Mr Rangi Royal from information collected by welfare, officers. Mr Fraser said this report indicated that there was no excessive drinking as Opposition members and others had alleged. Tlie Prime Minister said that according to the survey taken in the North no women had been seen drinking in Kaitaia’s .six hotels during the period on which the reports were based.

secrecy, which had led to all types of trouble.

He then quoted from Mr Royal’s report, giving the figures mentioned above. Mr A. S. Sutherland (O —Hauraki): There was no drinking in Princess Te Puea’s pa until the Government brought down legislation permitting it.

Mr Fraser: I am sure there is no drinking there now. The Prime Minister displayed to the House graphs Indicating that Maori crime was on the decline, and went on to say that there was a period when the Maori people needed protection, but that period was passing, because of the advances the Maori people were making. They were not always to be nursed and must be given the opportunity of standing on their own feet. The fact that Maori farmers on the east coast and in other centres were paying rates was a sign that they were accepting their share of responsibility. “We cannot keep the Maori people pressed down by legislation which makes them feel inferior and retards their progress,” said Mr Fraser. ASKED TO PROTEST Mr S. W. Smith (0 —Hobson) said he had met Maori people in the north who had asked Kim to protest against the retention of legislation in which they were involved. So far as the survey of hotels in the north was concerned, the fact should not be lost sight of that the Maori people did not live in their pa, but in their own homes.

Ten Maori and 30 European women had drunk in Hokianga’s 10 hotels, three Maori and three European women in Kaikohe’s five hotels and eight Maori and 40 European women in Whangarei's 15 hotels. “EXAGGERATION” “I do not object to anyone pointing out cases where excessive drinking occurs, but I do object to exaggeration and distortion,” said Mr Fraser. I-Ie was replying to a question asked by Mr W. H. Fortune,(O—Eden), who considered amending legislation should be brought down without delay to cope with “very widespread public concern at the alarming increase in the consumption of spirituous liquors by Maori women." Mr Fraser said there was no evidence to show that there was this excessive drinking in the home or in hotels where formerly intoxicating Liquors were not available to Maori women except those married to pakeha husbands. Mr Fraser added, however, that Maori women were able to obtain strong drink if they wanted it, even although lawbreaking and the risk of penalties were involved. RECENT CHECK “Lady welfare officers, while they regard drinking' among women as a serious evil, are of the opinion that if is better that it should be done openly and where it can be controlled, rather than in clandestine places accompanied by other dangers and evils,” continued the Prime Minister. “A recent check made by Maori welfare officers and tribai committees showed that in 284 hotels visited there were 253 Maori women drinking, as against 1774 pakeha women.” Mr Fraser said that safeguards against excessive drinking by Maoris were contained in the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act.

He believed it would be in the interests. of the Maori people as a whole to have amending legislation brought down. Mr E. T. Tirikatene (G—Southern Maori) said he was opposed to excessive drinking among the Maori people, but he congratulated the Government for removing the drinking restrictions upon the Maori people. “I hope and pray that the Maori people will build up their will power and say no when they mean no and yes when they mean yes.” he said, adding that to reintroduce blanket prohibitions on the Maori race would be a damning indictment of it. “POLITICAL REASONS” Mr W. A. Sheat (O—Piriea) said it was quite the legislation was introduced entirely for political reasons, even + hough it was directly contrary to the recommendations of the Licensing Commisison —and it was an attempt by the Government to curry favour with the Maori people.

Legislation to give wardens and tribal committees extended powers for more effective control was under consideration.

Mr Fortune said the evidence obtained by the Prime Minister did not bear out what actually was happening.

The Licensing Amendment Act of 1948, so far as its application to Maori women was concerned, was the most retrogressive that had been put on the statute book.

But if the Government really believed that the time had come to remove all restrictions so far as the Maori people 'were concerned, why should not the bar on liouor being taken into a pa be removed from the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act?

Leaders among the Maori people, stipendiary magistrates, social workers and others were greatly concerned over excessive drinking. MASS OF EVIDENCE

In view of the mdss of evidence that was available, he thought the Prime Minister and the Government should look at the' legislation! again. “For the sake of Maori girls, Maori women and the Maori people themselves, I plead with the Prime Minister to alter the legislation,” said M' Fortune.

Mr R. M. Algie (O—Remuera) suggested that factual, impartial reports should be compiled by police officers : n the centres concerned, and on the basis of that information the Government could determine future action. Mr Fraser said this information was already being obtained. , PAIKEA’S COMMENT

“The member for Eden has said h-. toes not wish to attack the Maori people, but he is sacrificing them to make an attack on the Government" c aid Mr Fraser, when he rose to detond his written reply to the qv non He said that Mr Turi Can-oil,' Na‘ional Party candidate for Eastern Maori —a man of sterling truth, who had been a personal friend of the Prime Minister for many years—had bee: r eported in the newspapers as saying there had been an improvement iu the situation concerning excess!'.: 'rinking among Maori women, becaus prior to' the legislation being enacted Maori drinking was driven underground and drink was taken in

Mr T P Paikea (G—Northern Maori) raid in one northern town a police sergeant had told the welfare officer that toe new legislation had !:c°n a pndeend.

There was, admittedly, a problem in* Auckland, but he thought Maori welfare could best be promoted hv establishing more centres such as the community centre opened last weekend. which would help to keep young Maori :.'coplc of? toe streets. “We are living in your environment, not urs." he added. “You are our leaders. “You have tranEgrersed and broken our Maori law. and we have no kick , coming, but if we break your law we have had it.”