MAORI LEADERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23358, 29 May 1939, Page 12

MAORI LEADERS

CONFERENCE RESULTS OUTSTANDING SUCCESS PROFESSOR H. BELSHAW'S VIEW "Tlic conference I;ns succeeded beyond the most optimistic hopes of those who organised it, and of the nicinhers of tlie conference," said Professor H. Hel.slmw, professor of economics at. Auckland Universiiv College, discussing the conference of young Maori leaders which concluded in Auckland on Friday. Professor Helshaw was chairman of the organising committee. The conference Mad shown that there were young men fitted to follow the present generation of loaders, Protessor lielshaw said. The opinion of members of the university stall who heard the discussions was thai the intelligence and capacity for expression of delegates was at least as high as that of any similar group selected from the students at the university. Members of the conference appreciated the need for adaptation, yet were fully convinced of the importance of preserving Maori institutions and culture. Spectacular results were not expected in the. immediate future, lie continued. The young men, however, would return to their communities encouraged and better equipped to do their share in community affairs. They would meet with difficulties and disappointments in this, hut it was important that their elders should encourage them by enabling them to play an active part in social life.

"It is a matter of gratification to tlio organisers that it is proposed to hold another conference next year at Ngaruawahia," Professor Belshaw added. He discussed tho origin and purpose of the conference and said that in the course of his visits to Maori communities last year he had formed definite impressions. The economic and social problems of the .Maoris were difficult and serious, more so than even the European or Maori communities realised, as far as the future was concerned.

Intelligent and valiant efforts were being made by the Maoris to meet their problems, he continued. In certain directions, such as land settlement schemes and education, they were supported by the Government. The people, he claimed, were not given equal opportunities with the European community, especially in higher education. There was, in particular, a gap in adult education, and he felt that the university and adult education movements had not fully appreciated their responsibility in a situation where so much depended upon the effective leadership essential to successful adaptation. It was hoped that the demonstration of the capacity of the young men as leaders would make the elders willing to help them, and give scope to their undoubted talents.