DESTITUTE MAORIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 188, 11 August 1931, Page 8

DESTITUTE MAORIS

SANCTUARY AT MANGEBE ORIDER FOR THEIR EJECTION AUCKLAND, Aug. 10. A protest was uttered yesterday by Mr A. G. Sainsbury, of Alangere, against the action of the authorities in ordering the ejection of a party of destitute Maoris whom he had permitted to occupy a shed on his property. “My attack is directed against the routine method of dealing with these cases,” Mr Sainsbury said. “The way of the authorities is to turn these poor people out of their shelters and to take no steps to find them any place where they acn go. I protest against the precipitancy of the inspectors. “I am very disappointed at the refusal of the Manukau County Council o help me to obtain possession of a cottage which I rented I the benefit of these Maoris. This w. '*.n spite of the fact that I had already received formal notice to eject them immediately from my property, under threat of a penalty of £5 a day for default. Energetic efforts are now being made by the Native Minister and by me to have these Maoris properly settled.” Mr Sainsbury paid a tribute to the sympathetic attitude of Dr. T. J. Hughes, medical officer of health for the Auckland district, whose chief aim appeared to be to help the Maoris in their sufferings rather than to harass them in any way.

On the matter being referred to Dr. Hughes, he said the case had come under his notice on Friday, but it had already been d?.ilt with by the sanitary inspector of the Manukau County Council. The Health Department had made no order whatsoever regarding the Maoris, and had not harassed them in any way. It had merely carried out its duty of attending the sick and assisting them wherever possible.