MAORIS AND ASIATICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 259, 31 October 1929, Page 5

MAORIS AND ASIATICS

EXAGGERATION OF REPORTS VIEWS OF SOCIAL WORKER The contention of the superintendent of the Methodist Maori Mission, the Rev. A. J. Seamer, that there had been exaggeration in many reports dealing with the association of Maori and Asiatics is supported by Sister Ivy Jones, organiser of the Maori Girls’ Club, who has been associated with social work among Maori women for two years. Working under the support of the Methodist Church, with her headquarters in Auckland, Sister Jones covers the area lying between Helcnsville and Tuakau, which includes nearly all the Maori settlements near Auckland. When Mr Seamer made his statement the Akarana Maori Association questioned his grasp of the true position, while respecting his social work among the Maoris. “I would like to say that I agree with the sentiments recently expressed by Mr Seamer,” said Sister Jones. “The sweeping assertion* that have been made have been very unfair to certain fine Maori women working in Chinese gardens—unfair also, no doubt to some of their employers. I find that these exaggerated statements hav« done real harm and injured some very good people. The issue which Mr Seamer took up was not the exact number of Maoris employed by Chines© gardeners, but the reason for and th® results of such employment. I claim that immoral relationships are not as common as inferred, while I agree with Mr Seamer that Maori women are employed because they are efficient workers and their services can be secured at a small wage. “ Tha.t a social evil does exist is beyond dispute and Mr Seamer was the first to recognise that fact. It was he who was directly responsible for practical efforts made in the past to combat it. Mr Seamer and his workers were dealing with the matter before the Akarana Association took it up. The Maoris have no secrets from him in social matters and he controls a chain of social organisation throughout the greater part of the Maori districts, while his workers report regularly and refer their difficult cases to him. Scarcely a day passes bift Mr Seamer interviews Maori people and .when necessary he sends Maori girls back to their homes.

“Knowing something of the wonderful contact h© has with the Maori people, it is strange to read a statement that he is not in personal touch with these matters,” concluded Sistei Jones. “Whether one agrees with his opinion or not, it must be admitted that his opinion is that of an expert in close touch with all phases of Maori life.”