“European Profligates”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 1

“European Profligates”

Clergyman’s Outspoken Comment

ASIATICS AND MAORI WOMEN Press Association TE AROIIA, Today. SOME outspoken comment on the criticism levelled at him by the Akarana Maori Association regarding his attitude on the employment of Maori women by Chinese marketgardeners, is given by the Rev. A. J. Searner general the New Zealand Methodist Home He asserts that his mission lias had moic trou “European profligates” than with the Chinese.

Since his first statement, made early in October, he had remained silent, as he had neither the time nor inclination to bother about personal attacks, said Mr. Seamer in an interview today. Mr. Seamer said, "Until today 1 have never mentioned the Akarana Association in any speech, report, or Press interview. 1 have always looked upon

it, and still do, as a group ot well-in-tentioned people capable ot good work. \s 1 have the honour to be the chief executive officer of a mission that has been doing educational and social work among the Maori people for 10 years, which counts its active Maori members by thousands, which has on its executive staff more Maori workers than the total Maori membership, of the Akarana Association, and which spends more in a month in its efforts for the amelioration of the Maori, than the association has ever passed, through its books, it is rather amusing to say that I am not competent to express an opinion. UNFAIR ACCUSATIONS

“The position we take up is as follows: (1) Maori women work in Chinese market gardens because there is no more suitable employment offering. (2) Very few single women accept such employment, except in company with their guardians. (3) The accusation made by the Akarana Association last week against employers, of sinister intention, is unfair and should be withdrawn. (4) There are very few half-casta Maori-Chinese children, and most of the few have been born in wedlock. (5) We have more trouble with various types of European prolligates than with Chinese in market gardens, for most of these gardeners are honest hard-working men. . (G) From sentimental and racial standpoints our mission Is strongly opposed to the intermingling of Chinese and Maori, but we love fair play. (7) Almost all the Maori women working in market gardens are honest, hard-working women, struggling to earn sufficient to purchase the necessities of life for themselves and their dependants, and they should be treated with respect as they are quite as respectable as their critics. Mr. Seamer concluded: “It is highly desirable that efforts be made to guard the interests of Maori workers, w-hether engaged by Europeans in their gardens and vineyards, or by Chinese. We will assist in every legitimate effort in this direction. We congratulate the Pukekohe Maori Committee on its constructive policy.”