MAORI WELFARE PAYS

Te Ao Hou, December 1957, Page 44

MAORI WELFARE PAYS Few people would think of Maori welfare work as a worthwhile commercial investment, nor can it ever be measured in commercial terms. However, the New Zealand Tobacco Board has found that a very progressive scheme started late last year at Motueka, of appointing a private Maori welfare officer and warden for the Motueka district, had been well worth the money spent. Mr R. H. Tennent, the Board's chairman, said in Nelson recently that reports left no doubt regarding the improvement in the labour position in the tobacco growing district as regards Maori seasonal workers. Mr T. Te Whetu, a man who had long been interested in Maori welfare as a voluntary social and religious worker, was appointed welfare officer by a Maori Welfare Advisory Committee consisting of interested local citizens with the support of the Tobacco Board, Hop Association, W.D. & H.O. Wills, Godfrey Phillips and other well-wishers. The welfare officer was given official status as an honorary Maori welfare officer and warden under the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act and his task was to promote social and moral well-being. He also helped in securing labour for employers and particularly in encouraging workers who had completed fruit work to take up tobacco grading work. He obtained co-operation from the police, hotel proprietors, employers and business people. He also helped the Motueka Tribal Committee in the work of creating a Maori community centre which is the ambition of the local tribal committee, and throughout had the support of Maori elders. In an area like Motueka, necessarily far away from statutory Maori welfare services, the scheme proved so much a success, that it is intended to employ Mr Te Whetu as welfare officer over a longer period next season in spite of the greater cost. Maori wardens of Tuwharetoa have combined in a Warden's Association formed recently at Hirangi Pa, Turangi. All four tribal districts of Tuwharetoa have joined in, bringing together fourteen wardens. Mr G. Whakarau is chairman and Mr N. F. Tocker secretary. Among recommendations at the initial meeting were: Wardens should be paid. They should have power of arrest under strong provocation. They should be empowered to act in any tribal district. Government should further clarify their duties.