Maoris And T.B.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19346, 1 March 1935, Page 2

Maoris And T.B.

CASES INCREASING. STRESS OF THE TIMES. BISHOP BENNETT PERTURBED. (By Telegraph—Press Association). HASTINGS, March 1. , "In moving among my people during the last few years 1 have been perturbed to find that cases of tuberculosis are definitely more in number than in previous years," declared the Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa, in expressing concern at the increasing incidence of the disease among Maoris. Bishop Bennett gave as a reason for the increase the fact that the prevailing hard times had affected the Maoris to a very great extent, and their standard of living had been reduced considerably. They were unable to buy proper food and clothing, with the result they were under-nourished and unable to withstand the rigours of the winter months. This applied to Maoris living in the pas as well as those outside them.

Steps to be taken to bring about an in<provement, said the Bishop, were a matter for the Health Department. The Department's Maoris nurse had done splendid work in Hawke's Bay pas and elsewhere, but the most pressing need was the provision of money with which to buy food and clothing, and to improve the living conditions generally.