"MAORIS WARNED"
Sir, —Your news item under above heading eannofc he allowed to pass with adverse criticism. I have no brief lor Ratanaism, but I consider it improper to impute to that cult any blame for the conditions of life such as the inquest at Farakao discloses. It is not a fact that Ratanaism inculcates neglect iti medical attention to those who need it. Generally speaking, the Maoris actually now more and more seek medical Attention, and there is an undoubted improvement to-day in that respect. Our hospitals and maternity homes have their full and increasing quota of Maori patients. Any check or setback thereto is due to the unfortunate outcry from time to time as to many Maori patients not paying. But in their need they aro like 1 unto even many pakehas, being nnfinancial, also unable to pay. The remarks of the coroner that the district "Maori councils do not | appear to be doinjj; effective work," are indeed correct. This, however, is again no fault of the Maori people, nor aro the causes of that lack of effectiveness far to seek. Those causes must be laid against the Governmental policy in regard to Maori hygiene. Somo years ago there was in full operation a well organised system of Maori district councils, very effiicently supervised by the Maori hygiene department, and giving marked beneficial results in Maori health ' and general living conditions. Housing, water, sanitation were all carefully overlooked, and occasional epidemic conditions were promptly combated. That department was regrettably abolished in the alleged interests of economy and the substituted arrangements have not been successful. These unsatisfactory living conditions of somo such Maori families are directly due to their economic position of to-day, and the adverse effect of some affecting Maori life. Geo. Graham.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 15
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295"MAORIS WARNED" New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 15
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