MAORIS AND DISEASE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4016, 23 February 1938, Page 7

MAORIS AND DISEASE

LACK OF FACILITIES IN WAIKATO. HEALTH SCHEME PROPOSED. With 88.9 per cent, of the Maori homes in the Kawhia district without sanitary facilities and G 2.3 per cent, in the whole of the Waikato suffering from the same inconvenience, it is proposed to launch a health scheme in these areas with the object of combating diseases which naturally arise, according to Dr H. B. Turbott, Medical Officer of Health in Hamilton, speaking at the Hamilton Rotary Club’s luncheon on Mpnday. Mr Turbott pointed out that the Maoris of the Waikato were suffering from a type of fatalism and did not appear to make any attempt to uplift their race. This position was caused partly through the confiscation of native land after the Maori Wars. The Maoris did not want to save their children from diseases but were content to remain in the rut into which they had fallen. The Department of Health, with the whole-hearted co-operation of Princess Te Puea Herangi, of Ngaruawahia, had wag*ed a long fight to combat diseases among the Maoris and to overcome the ancient rites of the people which were still employed in their treatment of the sick. Te Puea had offered her support to the proposed Maori health scheme after the ceremonies in connection with the opening of the King’s house had been completed.