PROFESSOR DENIES ILL EFFECTS ON MAORI OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 June 1948, Page 5

PROFESSOR DENIES ILL EFFECTS ON MAORI OF SOCIAL SECURITY

(P.A.) Christchurch, Jun® 28. Reference to the recent statements by tlie Rev. Blackwood Moore, ot Auckland, on the effect of Social Security payments on the Maori people, was made by Professor I. L- G. Sytiierland, professor of philosophy at Canterbury University College 'when he spoke this evening on current Maori affairs at a meeting of the Y.W.C.A. Business and Professional Women’s Club.

From time to time for several years sweeping statements on this matter had been made, Professor Sutherland said. They were, however, not borne out by such actual inquiry as had been Undertaken.

"The most thorough study of a Maori community was that undertaken by Ernest and Pearl Beaglehole and published as 'Some Modem Maoris.' They inquired closely into the qeffects of Social Security payments on the people concerned and came to the conclusion that, in general, the ineffects of Social Security benefits in tlie district has been for good," Professor Sutherland said. “Last month, while paying a visit to an important Maori district, I questioned school teachers, officials, and Maori leaders on the same matter, and was uniformly told that the effects of payments were, on the whole, good, especially so far as children were concerned.' ’

There were, of course, instances of misuse ot Social Security benefits, but these were not confined to Maoris, Prof. Sutherland continued. More facts were needed, not sweeping charges, but a Royal Commission such as Mr. Moore had suggested, would certainly be tiie wrong way to set about getting them. "There has already been one Royal Commission too many on Maori affairs.” Prof. Sutherland added. Objective facts regarding the Maori and Social Security could easily be gathered, if necessary, from teachers, district nurses and those administering Maori affairs. “Mr. Moore makes a misleading reference to a "report which is correctly called the East Coast Maori today.’ This was prepared by several well-intentioned school teachers who did not altogether realise the complexities and background of whal they were dealing with," said Prof. Sutherland. "One really important thing about Maori affairs..and one which should certainly be kept in mind by anyone who reallv has Maori welfare at heart, is the necessity to avoid making sweeping and public chargesMany examples from other countries show how easily mischievous mvths grow up in inter-racial situations."