MAORI WELFARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23001, 2 October 1936, Page 4

MAORI WELFARE

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE CO-OPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT (Per United Press Association) ROTORUA, Oct. 1. At a conference attended by upwards of 100 delegates representative of a majority of the important Maori tribes and organisations in New Zealand, which was opened at Ohinemutu to-day, it was decided to form a federation to co-operate with the Government in all matters affecting the welfare of the Maori race. The conference was the outcome of the recent meeting between the Government and Maori representatives in Wellington under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister (Mr Savage). A sub-committee was set up to draw up a draft constitution for the federation, and this will be submitted to the conference when it resumes to-morrow. The delegates were welcomed at the Tamate Kapua meeting house by the chiefs of the Arawa tribe, who delivered orations in traditional Maori style, and by the Mayor of Rotorua (Mr T. Jackson), who, in his opening address, made a strong plea for a more sympathetic understandinp of Maori problems on the part of the pakeha. Mr Jackson said that the standards of the pakeha were, unfortunately, in some respects not suitable for the Maori, with the result that, particularly among the younger people of the Native race, a certain looseness was developing which reflected upon the Maori race as a whole. He thought it was very necessary that the Maori should revive his old traditions and tribal habits of life, for these were much more satisfactory than the semiEuropeanised conditions under which so many of the Natives were living at present. The first subject discussed by the conference was the question of encouraging a study of. the Maori language. Delegates expressed the opinion that not sufficient attention was being given to the teaching of Maori in the State schools, nor did the Maoris themselves ur their own language sufficiently. Mr G. Graham, representing the Akarana Maori Association, Auckland, said that not only was the teaching of Maori not encouraged, but children attending Native schools were forbidden to use it. Mr J. Banks, a retired Native school teacher, said that children were encouraged to speak English while at school because it was considered that they had ample time to speak Maori while at home. It had also to be remembered that many of the Native school teachers were not qualified to teach Maori. The parents of the children could do much by encouraging the use of Maori in Maori homes.

It was decided to recommend to the Education Department that it should consider ways and means of promoting the use and understanding of the Maori language and also that the proper authorities be asked to take steps to see that no child is penalised for the use of the Maori language within the precincts of any Maori school.

It was decided to recommend to the Government that it should consider a scheme for the agricultural training of Maori scholars at secondary schools and also the possibility of giving young Maoris practical farming experience on land development schemes. Another recommendation was that in view of the special abilities which many members of the Maori race possessed as craftsmen the need be urged upon the Government of providing vocational training for Maoris in engineering and mechanical trades. Reference was made to the possibility of the closing of Flock House at Bulls, and it was decided that ihe Government be approached and asked to consider the admission of Maori trainees to Flock House. The delegates inspected the Hoiohoro Native land development scheme during the morning and after a full afternoon session the conference was continued again in the evening. It is expected that it will conclude to-morrow