UNDESIRABLE STATE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16705, 24 July 1928, Page 2

UNDESIRABLE STATE

AUCKLAND DISCLOSURES MAORI GIRLS WORKING TOR CHINESE There are said to bo scores of cases in which young Maori girls are working for Chinese market gardeners in the Auckland district to-day, and a few cases in which native girls are Working for Hindus in their fruit shops. The matter of employment of Maori women by Chinese was brought under the notice of the Prime Minister by the chairman of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board during his visit to Wellington last week.. ■ Mr, Coatee stated that he viewed the matter seriously and said the 'Maoris must be prevented from working for Chinese. "What are we to do?" a-Maori Of high standing asked in Auckland. '"Owing to bad times in the country a, number of our people have drifted into the city in the hope of obtaining employment, and some of them are so reduced in circumstances that they work ev-efc for Chinese and Hindus in order to obtain food and shelter. We do not like to see this, but if the Government will not do something for landless Maoris, like those who come from Waikato and those who have spent the money they received for lands at Orakei, we are power-less to prevent our people from getting Whatever work they can." "This matter has already become a serious problem," said a well-known social worker, "and the sooner the Goernment tackles it the better, for the New Zealand standard of morality is at stake." . - "If you wish to know how much truth there is in the eyeopener which has been given to the Prime Minister," said another, "take a run through districts like Panmure, East Taranaki, and Avondale. You may see sufficient to convince you that there is need for action." GIRLS LIVING AT GARDENS One of the cases mentioned was that of: a Maori woman with five children, who had been 'deserted by her husband, and in sheer stress of circumetahces had gone to work in a Chinese garden to earn food for feer children. The Chinese, said the Maori, say that young women are the best workers and so they take them in preference. Somo of the girls have been living on the properties where they have been working. They do all sorts.of light work, •but many of them may be seen waving scarecrows to frighten birds away. For that they are paid about 8s or 10s a week. They say that the Chinese are kind to them. . . As to cases in which Maori girls have been employed by members of exotic races it i» known that several have been working in restaurants which are kept bv Chinese, and in shops which are kept bv Hindus. When they have been remonstrated with by MaoM friends the girls have replied in terms such as, "How can we halp it.' work is tcry hard to get for Maori girls and we have to earn money to live." LANDLESS-MAORIS

When interviewed in regard to economic conditions Mr. Ueorge. Graham, a prominent member of the Maori Association, said tiiat the problem was the outcome of the changing conditions of Hff. which had produced distress among a section of the -Maori race. 'A regrettable feature," he said. ' is that a large number of natives who are now in need of assistance were until recentlv well-to-do people, but owing to the reckless acquisition of native lands by the (internment these people hare become" landless, have spent their money and are now destitute." The natives at Oakei. said Mr. Graham, have in their improvident way exhausted £BO 000 which they are said to have received for their lands, and they are now in the unfortunate position ot being landless and destitute. Their homes and money should hate been made secure try State' supervision. _ "Owing to the drift to the city Mr. Graham estimates that there are m Auckland to-day some 600 Maoris who (should bo located in the country, atb young women who are working for Chinese and Hindus. he- said, are living in or arc surrounded by undesirable conditions, and in this connection regrettable things have been reported. Some time ago the Government was communicated with on The subject, but apparently they conld do nothing. The whole question oi l economic conditions among the Maori people is such as to demand serious attention.