MAORI EDUCATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1938, Page 6

MAORI EDUCATION

(To the Editor.) Sir, —After reading Mr J. Carter’s reference to a recent publication in a Wellington paper, I would like to refer Mr Carter to my letter to the “Times-Age.” Perhaps Mr Carter has seen it; if not the points at issue at present are: —(1) Sending of paying pupils from Wairarapa to Otaki; (2) making amount available to the Otaki College or school for improvements, etc. This suggestion was put to the people who assembled at Te Ore Ore by representatives of the Hikurangi Board of Trustees. We now cannot understand the necessity for such a suggestion if the Otaki school funds are in a sound financial position as Mr Carter intimates. He also said that he has never known of any children from Wairarapa attending the Otaki School. I say neither have we. But the question is why should Wairarapa funds be made available to schools outside of the Wairarapa? Then he goes on to remark about rushing to the Press. I am just wondering what would any fair-thinking person do when all hopes of a fair deal are denied them. I might add that we in the Wairarapa are only interested in Wairarapa affairs, but when a proposition is put to us we will endeavour to exert ourselves to the utmost towards a fair deal. However, we still think that the attitude of the Hikurangi Board of Trustees is wrong and we appeal to the local educational bodies to co-operate with us in our appeal to the Hikurangi Board of Trustees to reconsider their decision and confine Wairarapa funds for the benefit of Wairarapa pupils, and to attend a Wairarapa school or college. As to the Wellington report to which Mr Carter referred it seems to have been based on a misunderstanding of the whole position. —I am. etc.. FAIR PLAY. Masterton. May 11.