WORK FOR MAORIS

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXII, Issue 8872, 10 February 1943, Page 2

WORK FOR MAORIS

EDUCATION AND WELFARE LETTER FROM HON. PAIKEA REPLY TO PROFESSOR SEWELL

" In your edition of January 20, a speech by Professor W. A. Sewell to a Coromandel audience was reported. In this Professor Sewell was reported lo have made the following one of his main points: "The Government's lack of interest in education and the welfare and future of the Maori race." I feel that as reported the Professor's real views may not have been adequately presented, but lost any of your readers may deduce that the Government has tailed in a proper concern for the welfare of the Maoris I submitted the report to the Hon. F. K. Paikea. representative of the Maori race in the Cabinet, for reply," states a letter received by the Gazette from Mr J. Thorn, M.P. tor Thames. The Hon. F. K. Paikea, Minister in Charge of Maori War Effort writes as under:— '"With reference to your letter- of January 22. in connection with the attached clipping from the Hauraki Plains Gazette of January 20, in connection with a speech made by Professor Sewell if would appear that, the Professor was speaking without a proper appreciation of the position. "Maori localities throughout New Zealand furnish abundant visible evidence of the Government's keen interest in the education of the Maori, fine schools built on modern open-air lines with the object of securing the healthiest possible conditions for the pupils. Vigorous Programme

"I wonder if Professor Sewell has had the privilege of inspecting such native schools at Whakarewarewa and To Kao. These schools amongst others express the Government's interest in the educational environment of the .Maori, and are definite instances of the vigorous building programme initiated by the present Prime Minister when Minister of Education.

"The Government has enlarged in the most generous manner the facilities at native schools for the teaching of practical subjects such as home science, woodwork, and the various handicrafts. It has. in addition, provided modern bath houses and is supplying milk (pasteurised or malted) to the children. In actual fact, including the provision for dental clinics, the Maori is now on all fours with the pakeha.

More Scholarships "Scholarships for the post-primary education of the Maori have not only been increased in number but nursing scholarships for Maori girls have been instituted and continuation scholarships to enable Maori boys and gii'ls to enter the Teachers' Training Colleges, are also awarded.

"The following figures showing the expenditure on native schools between the financial years ending 1934 and 1941 are in themselves illuminating as showing the interest taken in native schools by the present Government. Year Ended March 31. 1934 £79,700 1935 £91,792 1936 £100,077 1937 £126,886 1938 £155,025 11139 £181,356 1940 £158,739 1.941 £171,216 "Moreover the economic background of the Maori has, under the Labour Government been so improved that the parents, generally speaking, are now in a position to ensure that full advantage can be taken by their children of the educational facilities offering from the Primary Schools to the university. Proud of ElTort " In addition the high standard of efficiency of the teachers in the native school service and the enthusiasm now being evidenced by them in the education and advancement of their Maori pupils, is in itself a monument to Labour's educational policy, and the recognition which has now been given to the importance of Maori education and advancement is something of which any Government may he proud.

"With regard to Professor Sewell's reported contentions that there is a lack of interest taken by the Labour Government in the welfare and in the future of the Maori, it is a matter for wonderment that the Professor should be so out of date in his conception of the position. No Government has ever given more intensive thought and study to the economic welfare of the (Continued at foot of next page)