WELFARE OF MAORIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19124, 16 September 1925, Page 12

WELFARE OF MAORIS.

, THE ARAWA TRUST FUND. WIDE RANGE OF BENEFIT. REPORT TO PARLIAMENT. [BY TELEGRAM.—-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. An account of the efforts being made ; by the Arawa tribo to promote the gen- , eral welfare of its members by utilising ' the tribal trust fund is described in a statement presented to Parliament to-day. The first annual report of tho Arawa District Trust Board, it says, shows that in order to deal intelligently with the varied interests of tho tribe, four "departments" liavo been set up, each administered by a ''minister" and from two to four "members." They aro respectively in charge of (1) lands and 'Workers' dwellings, (2) maraes and pensions, (3) education and health and Maori arts and ' miscellaneous activities. It is evident that among the people thero is a strong, healthy desire to carry on farming. Certainly thero is in every Maori settlement in the district a fair proportion of men who could make capital farmers if given the opportunity and the needful financial backing. The board keenly desires to help, but cannot do all it wishes owing to lack of funds. Tho assistance of the Government must bo invoked if a scheme of land settlement is to succeed. Tho report points out that about 1500 acres of what is now waste country near Morea and the Okerc Falls could support a number of families if' financial assistance were to bo had. This is beyond the power of the trust board, but. if necessary money could be advanced by the native trustee tho board is willing to undertake supervision of the expenditure and the task of making tho titles so that tho security may be acceptable. Maketu Landing Place. Tho board has already undertaken tho task of repatriating the Maketu Peninsula, which was the landing place of the Arawa canoe, and is intimately associated with ■ the growth and prosperity of tho Arawa tribe. With regard to dwellings, five applications for assistance were granted, tho most that the funds allowed. A sum of £3362 was voted toward the improvement of public buildings,' water supplies and sanitary conveniences in tho various villages. The board works on a limited subsidy, basis, thus encouraging self-help and thrift. Relief to the extent of £365 was granted to blind, aged, disabled and indigent people, and others not helped with money were assisted to obtain pensions to which they were entitled by law. Several Maori youths who had gained ufiivcrsity scholarships or matriculated were assisted by grants ranging from £ls to £55. One afterwards showed his proficiency by obtaining a pass in sections of both the B.Sc. degree and the associateship in electrical engineering. In addition the board has made several grants to schools in which. Maori children aro being educated, but believes that its principal efforts should be directed to helping young people who have matriculated and proved their intellectual superiority. Healing Superatition. Tho health department of the board pays, a tribute to the remarkable work done Jby tho medical superintendent of the King George V. Hospital, Rotorua, Dr. Wallis, and his staff toward breaking down the superstitious dread and aversion 'of most Maoris regarding modern medicino and healing. This is I expected' to do much to- lessen and finally eradicate the belief in tohungas and their methods. The board has been able not only to render its own people service by special arrangements for treatment in the hospital and by medical men and by securing adequate treatment in necessitous cases, but lias also assisted the local hospital authorities to recover hospital fees from Maoris who Were in a position to pay. Payments amounting to £364 were authorised during the year. Tho Maori art department of the board recommends the establishment of a school of native arts in the Rotorua district. A contract has been made for the erection of a suitable war memorial, Tho erection of a Maori hostel at Rotorua is recommended. Sums amounting to £875 were advanced to natives by way of temporary financial assistance, and £338 of the whole amount was repaid within the year. . The tribe had previously expressed a wish to assist its . returned soldier members, but the latter declined special assistance, asking that the money bo put into" general land settlement, and that they bo given , preference as far as possible. The board is specially anxious to promote the consolidation of the tribal interests in land; This desire has been anticipated by the filing of the necessary application, and a Judgo has been allocated to the task.