A MAORI PROBLEM

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20464, 2 April 1938, Page 6

A MAORI PROBLEM

It is to be hoped that the acting-Minister of Native Affairs will call the conference he mentioned, when he received a large and representative deputation on Tuesday and heard representations about excessive drinking among the Maori people. All who take an interest in the welfare of the race —and fortunately they are becoming more numerous —realise that there are some very serious problems to be faced. It would be futile to approach their study with any fixed ideas. The moral and economic factors are so closely connected that both must be included in any investigation. The declaration of the Government, made early in its career, that Maori workers would be placed on exactly the same basis as that of pakehas was doubtless well meant, but if those who have observed the results would give their considered opinion, probably it would be found that it had not been an unqualified success. On many places one or two Maori hands had been engaged—often mere lads —and when the employers found that they must be paid full award or schedule rates many of them had to be paid off. Those who were retained secured increased wages, and, in too many instances, proceeded to spend the money freely and often foolishly. It should be possible to devise some plan by which a portion of the money earned could be retained and go to assist the employee to secure a small holding or to improve and bring into production any land that he may own. It would be a form of compulsory saving; but the results would probably be beneficial. Then those entrusted with any inquiry should consider methods for strengthening the authority of the leaders of the tribes and hapus. That is the general system adopted by British authorities in all parts of the colonial Empire. The authority of- the chiefs and others is used as much as possible. Here, unfortunately, the trend has been in the other direction, but the mana of a chief is still effective to a certain extent and could be increased with good results. Mr Langstone mentioned the orderliness of the recent gathering at the Ngaruawahia Pa, but he will know that the splendid record achieved there has been largely due to firm, efficient leadership. A committee at the pa deals with any breach of its rules and regulations. Any steps to enlist the support of the chiefs—and that should not be a difficult matter, for many of them are greatly concerned about the present conditions—and to increase their authority among their own people, together with plans to improve the economic position and the housing conditions of the Maoris, will be certain to obtain widespread support, and one of the most effective ways of combatting the present evils would be to devise plans whereby the young* people, on leaving school, could be found suitable employment and thus learn to depend on their own industry and initiative.