MAORI HOUSING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19138, 6 October 1936, Page 4

MAORI HOUSING

SETTLEMENT SCHEMES HYGIENE AN ESSENTIAL SQ FA LID CON DITION S One of the most important features of the recent conference in Rotorua of the new Maori federation was the discussion on the question of Maori housing. Delegates maintained that housing should bo a paramount consideration in native settlement schemes, some of which had been commenced five years ago. It; was resolved that on native schemes, provision should be made to erect suitable houses as soon as subdivision had been completed, and the allocation to the settler approved. In existing houses on settled areas, provision should be made for adequate amenities and healthy conditions. INDIGENT NATIVES

The urgency of providing suitable houses for indigent Maoris evoked considerable discussion. Mr. G. Elliott, Te Kuiti, stated that in some parts of the Dominion the hygienic conditions of Maori houses was in a worse condition than before the arrival of the first missionaries. There had been 2000 Maoris in his district 25 years ago, but recent figures indicated that there were now only 750. Tuberculosis had taken terrific toll, and the prevalence of disease was due to the filthy housing.

It was the considered opinion of the conference that the erection of good, useful, sanitary houses was of paramount importance, and that as many houses as were needed should be erected without delay to improve the squalid conditions under which many natives were living. The meeting also decided that the Government should be asked to devise ways and means of providing homes for the indigent Maoris. DESIRE FOR MORE NURSES Suggestions for the improvement of the health of the race were discussed, Captain W. T. Pitt, Gisborne, stating that he thought the conference, while expressing appreciation of the excellent service performed in the past by both native nurses and the department, should urge that immediate steps be taken to increase the nursing staff. Captain Pitt’s suggestion was adopted in resolution form, and it was also decided to urge the Government to reestablish the Native Hygiene Department, the abolition of which was condemned by Mr. G. Graham, Auckland, as being one of the most serious mistakes of the past Government.

ft was also resolved that the subsidising of doctors should apply to any medical man who, on the advice of a district nurse or Maori council, was called to attend a Maori patient.