THE MAORI RACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 3 October 1936, Page 12

THE MAORI RACE

STUDYING ITS WELFARE CONFERENCE AT ROTORUA (United Press Association) ROTORUA, Ist October. At a conference attended by upward of’one hundred delegates, representative of the majority of the important Maori tribes and organisations in New Zealand, which opened at Ohinemutu to-day, it was decided to form a federation to co-operate with the Government in all matters affecting the welfare of the Maori race. The conference was the outcome of the recent meeting between the Government and Maoi’i representatives in Wellington under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. A sub-committee was set up to draw up a draft constitution of the federation, and this will be submitted to the conference when it resumes tomorrow.

Delegates were welcomed at Tamatekapua meeting-house by chiefs of the Arawa tribe, who delivered orations in traditional Maori style and by the Mayor of Rotorua, Mr T. Jackson, who in his opening address made a strong plea for a more sympathetic understanding of the Maori problems on the part of the pakeha. It was decided to recommend to the Education Department that it consider ways and means of promoting the use and understanding of ’ the Maori language and also that the proper authorities be asked to take steps that no child be penalised for the use of the Maori language within the precincts of any Maori school. It was decided to recommend to the Government that it consider a scheme for the agricultural training of Maori scholars at secondary schools and also the possibility of giving young Maoris practical farming experience on land development schemes.

Another recommendation was that in view of the special abilities which many members of the Maori race possessed as craftsmen, the need be urged upon the Government of providing vocational training for Maoris in the engineering and mechanical trades. Reference was made to the possibility of the closing of Flock House, at Bulls, and it was decided that the Government be approached and asked to consider the admission of Maori trainees to Flock House.

Delegates inspected the Horohoro native land development scheme during the morning and after a full afternoon session the conference continued again in the evening. It is expected that it will conclude to-mor-row.