ATTITUDE OF MAORI RACE TOWARD THE LIQUOR QUESTION

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 September 1950, Page 8

ATTITUDE OF MAORI RACE TOWARD THE LIQUOR QUESTION

DANNEVIRKE, Yesterday (PA).— The attitude of the Maori race to the drink question was discussed at the annual meeting of the Maori Golf Association, attended by players from all parts of the Dominion. Many spoke on the subject and the general impression was that any delinquency was of an individual nature and consequently could be eliminated without recourse to restrictive legislation, which tended toward n sense of discrimination and inferiority against the Maori.

Consideration of the matter, which arose from criticism that drinking was becoming more prevalent among Maoris since the repeal of restrictions, resulted in complete disagreement with such opinion, and it was felt that any move to apply restrictive measures would h» unfavourably received by the M or /i people as a whole. ■Resolutions on the subject, carried unanimously, declared: “(1) Excessive drinking among the Maoris, as among the Europeans, should be rigorously combated. “(2) Reports of excessive drinking were the exception and not the rule. “(3) The general nosition since the lifting of the restrictions had not deteriorated- instead, there had been a noticeable improvement in the attitude of the Maori to drink. *...‘(4) Where there was excessive drinking, restrictive measures she I Id be firmly exercised among those who offend.

“(5) The present restrictions imposed by the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act, 1945, and the Licensing Amendment Act, 1948, in regard to drinking by Maoris, is considered to be sufficient, but should be implemented fully. “(6) Any measure for a further improvement in the general attitude to drink which would apply to pakeha and Maori alike, would be supported. “(7) Any recourse to reimposition of the restrictions which applied to the Maori people before 1948 would be considered discriminatory and an implication of inferiority to the Maori race as a whole, and not in keeping with the oft-repeated professions of equality, and contrary to the spirit engendered and the privileges enjoyed by Maori and pakeha soldiers during the stress of war. “(8) There would be general resentment by the Maori people to any measure which would have an overall restriction on them. “(9) Every effort by Maori church, educational, welfare and recreational leaders should be directed toward promotion of health activities for the young people of the race, to the end that their spiritual and physical educational and economic advancement and development would be secured. “(10) It is considered that overall restrictions would be a retrograde step and drive the drink evil underground. “(11) These views were considered to be i n Full agreement with those so ably expressed by the Rev. W. N. Panana, of Taupo, in his address during the Te Aute centennial celebrations.”

A Government grant for the employment of a Maori temperance officer is sought by the secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, Mr N.. A. Reyn olds. He asked the Auckland district Methodist Synod this week to support a request to the Minister of Maori Affairs. Mr. Corbett. “The Government has plenty or money to spend on Maori work, and I know of nothing better it could spend it on than temperance work,” he said.