MAORI GIRLS

Southland Times, Issue 20832, 22 July 1929, Page 7

MAORI GIRLS

EMPLOYMENT BY CHINESE. COMMENT ON MINISTER’S STATEMENT (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, July 19. -Commenting on the disclosures made by Sir A. Ngata in the House of Representatives an officer of the Akarana Maori Association said it was known that at the present time there were 54 Maori girls employed in Chinese gardens. During the past two years probably 100 had been so employed. The association had proof that a recruiting campaign had been going on to bring girls from the country. The go-be-tweens had been two unscruplous Maori women who had been going into Maori settlements inducing girls to come in. When the practice first started the ostensible call was for labour, but when young Maori men offered for positions they were told that girls were wanted. When Maori girls from country districts came to town and tasted the pleasure of town amusement they were told to go back to the kainga. They learned they could get work in Chinese gardens and drifted into that kind of life. At a meeting of the Akarana Association last night as a practical si ep towards meeting conditions, it was resolved to perfect arrangements to form a social organization in Auckland which would provide Maori girls with somewhere to stay when in town and also rational amusenlents. ALLEGATIONS REFUTED POSITION AT THAMES. Thames, July 20. The statements made in the House of Respresentatives by Sir Apirana Ngata concerning the conditions of Maori girls working for Chinese market gardeners and living under immoral conditions, have been proved by investigations made by a reporter and social workers to be incorrect insofar as the Thames district is concerned. There have been Maori girls working for Chinese gardeners both in Thames and Kirikiri during the tomato season but these are invariably accompanied in the fields by their parents and escorted home to the pas. The Maoris appear satisfied with the wages agreements with the Chinese but they are at variance over the contracts for the supply of peasticks and tomato stakes of which Thames supplies the majority to the Chinese gardeners in Auckland suburbs. These are got by the Maoris and sold by Chinese to their compatriots on a commission and the amount of the commission has usually caused disputes. Otherwise both races are working harmoniously together.