WORK AMONG THE MAORIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23514, 31 May 1938, Page 18

WORK AMONG THE MAORIS

ADDRESS BY MISS LAMBIE Miss M. Lambie, director of the Government Nursing Service, in an address at the evening session, dealt with certain aspects of the work among the Maoris, emphasising the tremendous need for some kind of social work such as could be given by the Y.W.C.A. After outlining the background against which the Maori race lived, Miss Lambie stated that a different mental approach was necessary in carrying out any work among the Native peoples. The work done by Sir Apirana Ngata and Sir Maui Pomare had been excellent, but it only touched the fringe, and there was a great deal still to be done. The Maoris made very good dairy farmers, and the land settlement schemes had been successful, going far towards the welfare of future Maoris. One of the greatest factors in the social development of the race had been the building of new meeting houses by Sir Apirana, and these had kept the pride of the race to the fore. The Women’s Institutes in the North Island were doing good service and provided excellent machinery for social work.

Miss Lambie spoke of the development of the recreational side of the Maoris’ education, stating that the teachers, both men and women,- were doing well, particularly by taking an interest in the social life of the race. Two or three new schools were being built. Under the Department of Health there were six districts, each in turn divided into sections under a nurse, who carried out maternity work, inoculation, general supervision, and gave talks to mothers, fathers, and children.

There was a tremendous need, Miss Lambie said, for some such social work as could be given by the Y.W.C.A. Few Maori girls went to secondary school, and they had no training for adult life, so that the necessity tor some adult education was urgent. She was very pleased that Bishop Bennett had definitely invited the Y.W.C.A. to do social work. The Maoris, however, would not have help thrust upon them; they had to want it first. The idea was to help them to help themselves. The speaker emphasised the necessity for studying the problems of each district, as every area seemed to have its own difficulties of race. Any organisation starting out to assist would have to work in with those already doing work, and the question of personnel was extremely important. Only women with the true missionary spirit and understanding natures could carry on successfully. On the motion of Miss Watson (Wellington), Miss Lambie was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.