MAORI AND HIS PENSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 23

MAORI AND HIS PENSION

DIALOGUE WITH REGISTRAR A registrar of pensions, in iiis time, makes the acquaintance of some engaging applicants. The Dominion relates that a Maori and the Wellington district registrar of pensions recently had the following conversation: — Maori: Are you the pension man? Registrar: Yes. Maori:’! want him (a pension) now. Registrar: How old are you? —“ Sixtyfive set yesterday.” Have you a birth certificate? —“No birth certificate.” Do you know any pakeha who has known you a long time? —“Everybody know me.” The Maori supplied names. Do you do any work?—“No —yes, when I am young feller.” How long since you did any work?— “ Forty year.” Have you any land?—" I get te Native rent.” How much?—“Four pound a year. How do you live?—“What you mean —te kai? I get te loaf and cut him off.” How do you pay for it? — I book him.” But you must pay for it some day I “ Yes, when I get te Native rent.” How do you buy your clothes?—“See this suit —he good suit. I go home, take him off, fold him up, put him in a box. He last long time.” The Maori got his pension.