DECLINE OF THE MAORI.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10301, 8 March 1905, Page 3

DECLINE OF THE MAORI.

(Per Press Association.)

WANGANUI, this day.

A Herald representative has obtained valuable information concerning the decline of tlie Maoris and; the steps agreed to be taken to improve their condition from Mr C. W. Grace, teacher of Pamona School, one of the most successful institutions m the colony, m connection with which tlie Government over 12 month*, ago started a village scheme, which is now threatened) to be dropped. The natives have sent a pathetic letter to the Premier appealing to liim to continue the scheme, and stating : "We arc dying fast, and want you to show us how to live and work, so that we may not all go down to the grave." Mr Grace says that the proportion of the deaths of natives and their suddennessit? appalling. Often only one or two m a family of ten children survive, and nothing else can be expected so long as newly-born infants are allowed to breathe poison m wharepunis void of ventilation and reeking with tobacco smoke, whilst large numbers of infants arc annually taken away from their mothers and adopted by women ignorant of the need of cleanliness, of foodl, and surroundings. Mr Grace says tliat had a. portion of tlie money voted to education been spent m bringing the natives out of the pas and getting them to house themselves m wellventilated dwellings, to attend to laws of cleanliness and l to be constant and intelligent, more real good would' have been done. The land is the place for the Maori and intelligent activity, wholesome surroundings, and the ever-present knowledge that lis hi subject to a law that can reach and strike him are factors that alone will save him from rusting out.