NO CUT IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1946, Page 7

NO CUT IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

MR HOLLAND ASSURES MAORI PEOPLE NATIONAL PARTY POLICY

Pledges that the National Party, if returned to power, would not interfere in any way with the benefits enjoyed by the Maori race under social security were given by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, yesterday, when he addressed a gathering of Maoris and pakehas at the Putiki Pa. Mr. Holland said that the party’s aim was to reduce the need for some forms of social security by eliminating the causes, such as sickness and unemployment, which made the benefits necessary.

Mr. Holland was welcomed at Putiki by Mr. A. Takarangi, who presided over the meeting. The ollicial party included Mr. H. H. Marumaru, National Party candidate for Western Maori; Mr. E. W. Merewether, candidate for Wanganui, Mr. W. H. Robbie, chairman o tthe Wanganui branch of the Party; Mr. Bennett, National rarty executive; Mr. T. G. Wilks, national secretary, and Mr. A. Williams, Ml. Hollands private secretary. Mr. Holland said that he greatly appreciated being asked to speak on the historic marae at Putiki, where many famous men had spoken. He conveyed salutations and greetings to the Maori people of the district. He desired not only to speak to them but also to learn oi their problems. Mr. Holland expressed appreciation of the magnificent record or the Maori Battalion during the recent war. While overseas ne had heard glowing accounts of the unit's service. Their achievements were such that whatever Government was in power it must do the best it could lor the welfare of the Maori people. "When I visited the Italian front with Mr. Doidge, I was present while the Maori Battalion was preparing for one battle," said Mr. Holland. "It was a poignant sight to see these men. Because they fought so well it is possible for us to hold this meeting today. "I was present at General Freyberg's headquarters that night when, on the stroke of midnight, word came through that the Maori Battalion had taken every objective it had been assigned." Mr. Holland said that the New Zealand Division had been recognised everywhere as one of the finest lighting forces in the world and the Maori Battalion was one of the best units in it. In addition, the Maoris who had served in other branches of the armed services had also rendered distinguished services. MAORI CANDIDATE Referring to Mr. Marumaru's candidature for the National Party lor Western Maori, Mr. Holland saiu that if elected, Mr. Marumaru would effectively carry on the line tradition set by the late Sir Maui Pomare. If the Maori people would provide their own leadership in time ot war as they had done, they could do so also in times of peace. Mr. Holland said he was greatly indebted to Mr. Marumaru lor his advice and assistance in helping him to understand the outlook and problems of the Maori people. "The National Party has no desire to absorb the Maori race into pakelia customs and culture,” said Mr. Holland. “We want them to retain their own culture. We recognise the rigiit of the Maori to equal participation in all the benefits and advantages that are available to the pakeha. "We want to make facilities available for the training of leaders for the Maori people in education, health and agriculture. It has been falsely stated for political purposes that the National Party will reduce the benefits to the Maori people under social security. I give an emphatic denial to that. "We will maintain all social security benefits now enjoyed by the Maori race. What we do seek to achieve is to reduce the need for a social security benefit wherever we can. Good health is better than a sickness benefit and regular work preferable to an unemployment benefit." Mr. Holland said he was meeting the Maori people wherever he could because the National Parly sincerely wished to better the lot ot the Maori race. One matter that would be taken up was the under-nourishment o£ Maori children. These now numbered eight in every 100, compared with one in 100 some years ago.

COMBATING T.B. Other surveys had shown that 46 per cent. of Maori school-children were suffering from some lornr of sickness, and that 24 out ot every 1000 Maoris suffered from tuberculosis. The National Party, if returned to power, would concentrate on these problems and would aim to apply mass radiography to all children so that weaknesses which might later cause severe occupational inness would t>e disclosed and treated early in life. Referring to the expansion of Maori agriculture, Mr. Holland said the National Party had plans ready to expand the cultivation of Maori lands. With this would go the training oi craftsmen and tradesmen. Ownership of their own homes would also be encouraged among the Maori people. "We want to preserve tne Maon language,’ added Mr. Holland. "We want more Maori announcers on out broadcasting system so that people could appreciate the richness oi English so spoken. We want also more news broadcasts and other programmes in Maori." Mr. Holland concluded by saying that if he were returned as head oi a National Government he would feel that his administration was lacking if it did not contain at least one direct representative of the Maori race, lhai was one reason why he asked the electors of Western Maori to select Mr. Marumaru. Messrs. Marumary, Merewether and Robbie also briefly addressed the meeting. , . . Representatives of the Ngati WhihTama, Ngatiapa, Parewahawalia, Wainuiarua-Whanganui, and Flauiti tribes expressed thanks to Mr. Holland for his address, and confidence in the National Party's plans tor the Maori race. After those present had given a spirited singing of the Maori Battalion, Victory Song, "Kamate! Kainate!" afternoon tea was served.