YOUNG MAORI PARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14567, 2 January 1911, Page 6

YOUNG MAORI PARTY.

A meeting of the Northern division of theYoung Maori party was held Otoiohanga on Thursday evening, Dr. Buck, M.P., president-, occupying the chair. Resolutions were passed urging the Government to foster the idea of giving attention to the matter of nursing among the natives. It was argued that if modern ideas affecting midwifery were inculcated in the native mind the increase in population would be materially aided. Another matter which was made the subject of debate was the operation "of the Advances to Settlers Act among the native race. It was urged that now a gimt number of .young Maoris were taking up farming pursuits seriously much advantage would accrue if, on an advance being made to them under the 'provisions of the Act, the district rangers or others competent to advise could under some arrangement drop in from time to time and give hints as to the .best mcans-of expending the money. Dr. Buck, in the course of a chat, with a Herald representative, said'that a Maori with a good! holding might get an advance of £500, and for lack of knowledge spend the better part of it on the erection of a house, without giving serious thought as to what- it would cost to develop the land: itself. If somebody with, practical knowledge would give the advice needed at the proper time it would aid the development of the land; and save many vain regrets thereafter. Dr. Pomaro was among those present at Ot-oro-hanga, which now boasts a strong branch of the party.