SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY WAS EVIDENT

Te Ao Hou, September 1955, Page 59

SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY WAS EVIDENT The Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. E. B. Corbett, was very gratified at the results of his letter about drinking to all tribal executives, tribal committees and Maori Women's Welfare Leagues. Many organisations have written to him, in reply to his letter, and these statements from Maori leaders all demonstrate that they share the Minister's concern at the drinking problem, that they are seriously thinking about it and that they are taking practical measures to bring about improvements. Mr Rangi Royal, Controller of Maori Welfare, has travelled through the country for three months to speak on maraes about the drinking question and has been met by unusually large and lively audiences. During these meetings interest was focussed on practical measures that could be taken by tribal organisations. In marae discussions, in the resolutions passed by the tribal bodies and in the letters to the Minister, many important suggestions were made about government action that would make the tribal committees' struggle against excessive drinking easier. The Minister of Maori Affairs is studying every one of the ideas put forward and undoubtedly much good will result. It is unlikely, however, that the government will decide on any action before representative Maori leaders are consulted. It is certain that this action will not include any discriminatory legislation. * * * Among trainees for skilled jobs in the ‘technical control department’ of the Tasman Company at Kawerau were four local Maori boys. Their duties will be the testing of pulp and paper samples. They were trained by instructors sent out specially from Canada to teach New Zealanders this previously unknown industry.