Maori Women in Asiatic Market Gardens

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 722, 23 July 1929, Page 4

Maori Women in Asiatic Market Gardens

. _ n.- I. - Vocatzonal fluzzmng Needed ‘ COUNCIL OF WOMEN ‘ A whole new field of work was opened up by the National Council of Women last evening at its monthly meeting when the question of Maori girls and women being employed in the _market gardens of Asiatics was discussed at con:siderable length. This question has been seriously con—cerning Te Akaranu )laori Association. with which the council had corn—municated. The association hz‘id replica stating that it would be pleased to receive the council’s representatives at the next meeting. lliss NEelville thought that the coun—cil would be missing a. great oppor—tunity if it did not take this matter up. It opened a new field oi work in which they could be most helpful, The white women of the Dominion did not realise their responsibility with regard to the )ILLOI‘IS. The speaker suggested that they find out if there were any IVlaori wonicn‘s orgttnisutions and ii there were to try and get them to affiliate \vith the council. The fact that these )laori girls were working in the market gardens was obvious indication that there were numbers 01‘ them requiring paid occupations. The work that )liss Biclville thought they could best do would be to bring before the notice of the Native Alinister the absolute necessity of providing vocational training for IMaori girls. As CL race they were very adaptable and could be fitted to take up it. variety of professions and vocations. Those who were not suited to industrial work could be trained for domestic service. With regard to domestic servants Bliss Melville thought the council might assist in getting them the status that their important work demanded. ' APPEAL FOR PRACTICAL HELP She concluded with a. strong appeal that the council go into the matter thoroughly and try and evolve some very practical way of furthering this idea. of vocational training for the Llaoriyand with that View to get into touch with Te Akarana Maori Association. Other members spoke very feelingly in support of Bliss Lielville's remarks, among whom were Mrs. Ruby \Vatson, Mrs. John Cook, Miss Greville, Sister Hannah and Miss Carnachun. The resolution \vas passed that: “The Auckland Council of \Votnen co-oper-ate with Te Akarana Maori Association and with the Native Department in “’orking out a, scheme providing for the vocational training of Maori girls, and set up a. sub—committee to go into the matter." - It was also moved and carried that the lilnister of Native Affairs, Sir Api—rune. Ngata, be \vritten to and asked to indicate in what way the council could be of assistance. 3

National Council of Women

1 { AUCKLAND BRANCH ; MEETS i .m.. Miss Carnachan, president, presided over a splendid attendance at the monthly meeting of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women last evening, when much business was disposed of and many important matters discussed. DEPUTATION TO TRANSPORT BOARD Reports were presented by the subcommittee that had waited on the Transport Board to lay before it the hardships entailed by women and children when waiting for feeder buses at tram termini where there are no shelters. The deputation had received a. very courteous and sympathetic hearing. It was explained by the board that although in favour of having more shelters, it could not appropri—ate for that purpose any of the money raised by the last loan. Another request that the council’s deputation brought forward was that buses, when meeting trains, should take up their position on the side of departure and that passengers be allowed to take their seats at once. In response to this request the board will arrange that buses cross over immediately after the driver has taken the tickets . After the statement of accounts had been read and the roll called Miss iCarnachan Welcomed two new repre—sentatives to the council. ‘ VVith regard to the inquiry into the conditions under which the nurses in hospitals are trained. the sub-commut-tee of associate members that had been appointed to investigate the matter recounniended that it be taken up by a. sub-committee representing the Whole of the council. The question Whether the size of hospitals should be ‘limited as to ac—commodation was asked by Miss Melville. It was thought by the members that it might be useful to start a discussion along that line. Another opin—ion was that a change in the methods of administration might be more help—ful. After much discussion the resolu—tion was passed that. “The hiinister of Public Health be asked to institute an inquiry into the treatment and training of nurses." AN “IMPOSSIBLE” POSITION In speaking of the infectious diseases hospital and the. conditions no\v prevailing, Dr. Ililda Northcroft declared “the position is impossible.” In this connection the following resolutions \vere passed. (a) “That this branch of the National Council of Women strongly objects to the establishment of an infectious diseases hospital in the centre of the city and urges upon the Hospital Board the desirability of staying present proceedings and in lieu thereof hastening the progress of the new mental hospital so that the present buildings at Avondale might be temporarily utilised for iso—lation purposes until a permanent portion is adopted; (13) that a deputa—tion from this branch \vait upon the Hospital Board to present the resolution.” . Dr. Hilda Northcroft was appointed to head the deputation. W'ith regard to the display of offen—sive posters it was suggested that it" the hoarding companies were approached something might be accomplished. A resolution of sympathy with the sufferers in the earthquake areas was passed, and as a concrete expression a. donation of five guineas is to be gornéarded to the Mayor's Earthquake un .