SOCIETY IS FOUNDED

Te Ao Hou, Winter 1954, Page 43

SOCIETY IS FOUNDED After all this had been debated at considerable length, it was proposed to set up a Temperance Society through which the three constituent churches will collaborate to grapple with abuse of drink among the Maori people. This Temperance Society is a further development of the Temperance Committee under Rev. Kihoro Te Puawhe, whose report was the basis of the conference's deliberations. Among other projects the society will encourage temperance education in schools. Sunday schools, Bible classes, preaching and radio. Following a motion by the Very Rev. J. G. Laughton, it will also carry out research and investigate the causes of Maori drinking. There is no doubt that such a society has ample scope. Quite apart from what legislation, social improvements and better leisure occupations can do, there must also be a general change of attitude in the community, and this can come only if the community becomes more deeply aware of the important role of drink in slowing down and preventing progress. The society faces anything but an easy task. First, it seems difficult and perhaps unwise to embark on temperance education directed only at a part of the population. As speakers at the conference pointed out, the Maori Section is limited in its scope. For instance, a resolution asking the Government to introduce temperance education in schools, mentioned only Maori schools and schools in Maori districts. Conference did not feel qualified to make its request more general. This kind of proposal is open to the objection that at least 80% of New Zealand's probable future heavy drinkers and alcoholics go to schools other than those for which temperance education is being proposed. While the Maori children settle down to their temperance classes, pakeha drivers, without the benefit of such education, may be coming round the corner in their cars and run them over. It is important that the Maori Section's initiative should as much as possible emerge as part of a nation-wide movement. Furthermore, what should be taught about temperance? Here the Society's reserch activities will be of crucial importance. There are valuable works showing good and tried methods of temperance education which it is most important to follow. The modern approach is summed up in these words of Professor C. H. Patrick: “The main emphasis of instruction on alcohol should be based on life, health and personal and social welfare rather than upon the horrors of disease and death. The average person cannot be frightened into good behaviour or browbeaten into accepting a particular pattern of living.” * * * During his visit to Auckland in April, the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Corbett, visited the piece of Crown land at Orakei that has been reserved to the Maoris for a marae. The Minister showed the site to the Mayor of Auckland, Mr J. H. Luxford, who said that he was particularly anxious that the Maoris of Auckland, who came from many different tribes, should have a meeting-place in the open—a model pa where they could hold their welcomes and other functions. Mr N. P. K. Puriri, chairman of the Orakei tribal committee, said that local Maoris had raised about £2,000 towards the proposed marae. They had in mind spending about £10,000. * * * The number of Maori students admitted to Teachers' Training Colleges this year is 45—the same number as for the last two years. Three quarters of these students are attending the Auckland and Ardmore Training Colleges