WELFARE OF MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 11

WELFARE OF MAORIS

PENSIONS AND HOUSING REQUESTS TO GOVERNMENT [BY TELEGRAPH OWN* CORRESPONDENT] ROTORUA, Monday A lengthy agenda covering matters mentioned at the inaugural conference at Ohinemutu was discussed by the executive of the Maori-Pakeha Federation at its first meeting held in Rotorua at the week-end. The chairman, Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, presided. It was decided to commend the Government on its recent pensions legislation and to suggest that a first grade interpreter be stipulated as among the statutory witnesses necessary in all applications by natives for pensions. The meeting also decided to commend the Government on its promise to appoint a tribunal to investigate Maori grievances and to suggest that the inquiry be lield at the earliest opportunity. Delegates expressed the opinion that the question of Maori housing, with the exception of housing on land development schemes, should be dealt, with by the Health Department, and it was decided to suggest this to the Government. It was also decided to invite Dr. Turbott, medical officer of health, to attend the next meeting of the executive and discuss the question. Unemployment of Maoris also was discussed at some length and subcommittees were appointed to report to the next executive meeting on districts whero it was considered action was needed, It was also decided to submit to the Labour Department a list of young Maoris -with university or secondary school training who could be employed in clerical and other work. A suggestion for the early election of Maori councils was supported and it was decided to write to the responsible authorities witlj the object of haying these elections held as early as possible