MAORIS AND SUSTENANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22657, 19 February 1937, Page 13

MAORIS AND SUSTENANCE

Sir, —It is indeed a pleasure to read the broadminded comment on "wasted sustenance" in your leading column of February 11. It is quite timely, as there has been too much lopsided comment of late that may cause the general public to arrive at a conclusion that the Maori has become a total degenerate and that he has been assisted on the road to ruin by the present Government. Such a conclusion would be far from the truth. As your article states the Maori is no more at fault than his pakeha brother, if as much. Some of the comments passed by New Zealand Red Cross Society members are most unfair. The Auckland member blamed the present Government for the sad condition existing by giving them free money, voicing his opinion that the "Maori is a child where money is concerned." I might suggest to that gentleman to pay a few visits to the Free' Library and peruse a few volumes on New Zealand history, and then refer him back to the 1909 legislation that made it so easy for the Maori to sell his landed heritage, resulting in vast areas being sold to speculators' syndicates. The best of the areas passed from the native owners and even at tbe low values paid over large sums of money changed hands to the elders of the race, ultimately to pass back again to the white men ever hanging on to catch the native with some useless bargain. I admit drink, billiards smd racing also assisted to empty their pockets. There was far more drinking, etc., in those years than now, yet there was no outcry. The result of this legislation has left the bulk of tho present generation of Maoris landless. Since about 1914 tho Maori has been practically ignored and unassisted by the Government in power. How the Maori lived through the slump period was nobody's worry. Now because a new Administration has broadmindedly set out to help the race back on to their I'eet and give them what they have long been denied, equal rights, it has mildly disturbed a hornets' nest. Undoubtedly the home conditions of large numbers of the race are sad to see, but are moderately easy to set right by any fairminded Administration. The general public can rest assured that the Maori is no degenerate, nor has he lost his great pride of race. Given the opportunity and right guidance he will soon prove his capabilities. Hoeotainui. J. W. Hedley.