FILTHY STATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26285, 17 October 1946, Page 8

FILTHY STATE

MAORI SETTLEMENT CHILDREN DIRTY AND DISEASED SHOCK FOR EDUCATION BOARD (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. An area where families of Maoris are living in conditions of intolerable filth, where Maori children come to school dirty and diseased, and where European children are endangered by coming into contact with these Maori children was brought to the notice of the Auckland Education Board to-day. These disclosures were made in a report to the board by the .chairman of the Hamilton West School Committee, Mr J. D. Edgecombe, and concern a nearby area, where Maoris work in Chinese market gardens and their children attend most irregularly and infrequently the Rukuhia and Melville Schools. The report, in suggesting a remedy, urged the establishment of a Native school in the district, and stated that the matter had been brought to the notice of the health and labour officers in Hamilton. Precarious Existence “The Maori pupils are, in the main, the children of parents employed at and living at two large gardens controlled by Chinese,” the report stated. “The Maoris eke out a precarious existenae from meagre earnings from piecework in the gardens, supplemented by social security benefits.” The report went on to say that the general health of the children was bad, almost all being bodily filthy and affected by scabies and impetigo. There were indications of malnutrition and all the children were badly clothed. A visiting teacher who,secured supplies of clothing for them later found evidence that these clothes had been pawned. “The presence of these children at school in the circumstances is a serious embarrassment to the teaching staff, and they are a positive menace to European children,” the report continued. “No facilities, apart from hand basins, exist at the , Melville School to keep these Maori children clean or to do anything of consequence to control their very contagious skin troubles.” An inspection of the dwellings had revealed revolting conditions which, the report emphasised, should not be tolerated or allowed to remain. Over 40 persons, including 30 children, exist in some three or four dilapidated sheds with earthem floors. These are devoid of drainage, adequate sanitary facilities, and reasonable washing and bathing arrangements. A single tap on a stand pipe in the middle of this group of shacks serves as the community water supply. “We have heard a lot about what the Government has done for the Maoris,” said Mrs F. I. Mcßride, “but this is serious and something will have to be done.” Prompt Action Taken The Chinese were running the gardens with Maori workers under had conditions, said Mr J. M. McWhannell. He saw no reason why this should be allowed to continue while European farmers were compelled to provide proper accommodation for their work--6rs. The board agreed to send the matter on to the Departments of Health, Housing, and .Education, and then to call a Conference to discuss the matter fully. / , ' The board adopted a resolution that in European schools where the majority of pupils were Maoris, the Education Department should supply those facilities for cleanliness which were given to Native schools. Tributes were paid by members to the courageous way the teachers were handling the difficulty,