MAORI WELFARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23106, 4 February 1937, Page 7

MAORI WELFARE

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—lt Is with sincere regret that many of us read that all is not well with the Maoris at present. As one who has worked among them and has met them individually in the ordinary course of life, I have the deepest feelings of respect due to a truly fine people. . . ~ I remember on one occasion in the North Island that Twas asked to take the place in the wool press for a temporary absentee in a -shearing outfit. After the work was completed, each one of the party came and shook hands with "me, and thanked me individually. A few months later, as I walked into a restaurant in Wellington, I was hailed by the same party with " Hello, Allard, come and join us. Of course I joined them, and to say that I had a good tea at their expense is putting it mildly. Had I partaken of all that was pressed upon me I doubt if I would have survived to tell the tale. Since then I have met a number of Maoris in this part of the country, some of whom have proved themselves such exemplary gentlemen that they have on more than one occasion put white men in the shade. Lastly, and by no means least, what a fine body of men turned out to throw in their share in the defence of New Zealand at Gallipoli and in France. I. with many others, will never forget their singing at their Sunday services on the Apex. Sari Bair.—l am, etc., K. E. Adlard. Dunedin. February 3.