ADAPTATION TAKES TIME

Te Ao Hou, June 1959, Page 18

ADAPTATION TAKES TIME Regarding types of offences committed by Maoris Mr J. McCreary of the School of Social Science, Victoria University has analysed statistics relating to Maori criminality and has noted that Maoris tend to commit the more aggressive and active kind of offences. Some of the offences in this category are unlawful conversion of motor vehicles, breaking and entering, common assault and unlawful carnal knowledge. It is noticeable, however, that sexual perversion is far less common among Maoris than pakehas. There are other offences which are sometimes the result of poor adaptation to city life. These include theft of clothing of the “first up best dressed type”, false pretences by selling goods that are subject to hire purchase agreements and being idle and disorderly with insufficient lawful means of support. Over indulgence in alcoholic liquor by relaxing personal control is often a factor in many cases that come before the Court and this applies to pakehas as well as to Maoris. It is interesting to note, however, that alcoholism, i.e., uncontrollable and compulsive drinking is less prevalent among Maoris than among pakehas. The response of Maoris released on probation is by and large as satisfactory as is the response of pakehas. Some certainly need supervision and guidance to encourage regular work habits, the more prudent handling of their wages and a more orderly way of life. In some cases the leniency extended by the Court is misinterpreted as weakness and this, of course, may lead to further offending. There are cases too, where a young Maori is obviously unable to cope with city life and where this is apparent efforts are made to find him employment away from the city and its many temptations. Others may require institutional training and discipline before they come to a realization that the law must be obeyed and that they have to lead a more orderly life if they are to avoid trouble.