PROTECTION OF MAORIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 62, 16 March 1943, Page 4

PROTECTION OF MAORIS

VALUABLE HEALTH WORK Steps taken to improve the living conditions of Maoris and the co-opera-tion shown by their own village committees, were dealt with by Mr. W. S. Steele, inspector at Wanganui for the Department of Health, when giving a talk at the weekly Rotary Club luncheon yesterday. The Departments of Health and Education, as well as the Native Department and hospitals, were mainly concerned with health work among Maoris, said Mr. Steele. In certain communities departmental officers also had the assistance of village committees.

These committees, Mr. Steele added, could be met in pas and requirements explained to them. They had proved most helpful and were doing useful work. One of the main concerns was infectious disease among Maoris, which necessitated many visits to pas. Improved sanitation, however, had resulted in substantial reductions in cases of typhoid dysentery. Maoris were also inoculated as a protection against disease. Nurses played one of the most important parts in Maori health work and in the course of their duties paid many visits to homes. The prevalence of T.B. also involved much work for nurses, who attended patients and contacts. “On my own side comes housing,” said Mr. Steele. “I find that you can provide a good home and that many Maoris can be persuaded to keep a good home, particularly those who have had education and are able to put it into practice.”

Many Maoris still continued to live in small rooms and it was diffi-

cult to impress on them the value of ample air space in sleeping quarters. Water supply was one of the chief sources of infection and every effort was made to make the supply as perfect as possible and retain it in that condition.