MAORI GIRLS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20285, 20 April 1934, Page 7

MAORI GIRLS.

Employment in Chinese Market Gardens. The vexed question of the employment of Maori and European girls in market gardens conducted by Chinese and other Asiatics was the subject of a lengthy debate at this morning’s session of the National Council of Women. The subject was first brought under notice by a Wellington remit which urged that regulations be brought in to prevent the employment of European and Maori. girls by Chinese. One delegate said that the remit was contrary to the affirmations made by the Council and the International Council to the effect that a spirit should be fostered that was above all national and racial matters, embracing the general welfare and brotherhood of all mankind. She moved as an amendment that the Minister of Justice should be asked to ensure that stricter supervision should be exercised over the conditions of employment of all women and girl workers. Position in Auckland. Miss E. Melville said that the position in Auckland was different to the position in the rest of the Dominion. They were concerned there with the effect on Maori girls. “ As the years go on,” Miss Melville continued, “ the Europeans and the Maoris will amalgamate to form one race. We are anxious to make sure that the process goes on under the best conditions. Some of our best citizens to-day are of mixed parentage, and we have cause to be proud of them. So far as we know,” she continued, there is no legislation governing the conditions of employment of women agricultural workers. The girls are employed in the market garden business, whieh is largely in the hands of the Chinese. Of recent years the C hinese have been employing Maori girls. The Akarana Maori Association had appealed to the women’s organisations for help, and the matter will have to be given serious consideration. We are seeking to fill this gap in the legislation governing the employment of females. It is not a question of nationality, it is one of race. The Maoris belong to us and we must lock after them. Of course, we stole New Zealand from them and in that way aid them a great deal of harm.” Ban on Chinese Woman. Mrs M. J. Ford pointed out that Chinese men under the present regulations could not bring their wives into the country with them. Therefore they could not live under the same conditions as white men. The situation was unnatural, and could not be met by legislation. Mrs Holloway (Hamilton) said that the remit should be amended to include all girl and women workers in agriculture. Finally, it was decided to amend the remit and pass it as follows: "That it be urged that regulations be made to ensure suitable conditions in the employment of European and Maori women by Chinese and other Asiatics and by all employers of female labour m agriculture."