MAORI GIRL PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1929, Page 14

MAORI GIRL PROBLEM

ACTION BY AKARANA ASSOCIATION

A practical move in furtherance of its policy of preventing the employment of Maori women at market gardens controlled by Asiatics is to be made by the Akarana Maori Association. It has been decided to make arrangements for the formation of a’ social club in Auckland, providing Maori girls with accommodation when in town and with sensible amusement.

It is thought that by this means the girls will be deterred to a certain extent from seeking employment at market gardens controlled by Asiatics, as it is recognised they are largely actuated in this respect by a desire to obtain money to spend on amusements. A solution of the problem on these lines was suggested by Sir Apirana Ngata in the House rf Representatives on Thursday. The solution, he said, was so to improve the social economic conditions of the race as to make it impossible for Maori girls to want to 'be employed in Chinese market gardeiis. The object of the association is to provide healthy social entertainment for the girls, and by bringing them together to promote discussion among them which it is hoped will be of practical value. There is stated to be a large number of Maori girls in Auckland, some in good positions, but a number who are without employment.