WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

Te Ao Hou, June 1959, Page 19

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? It seems that Maori offenders in the 16–30 years age group are more irresponsible and more inclined to live for the day only than pakehas in the same age group. This could perhaps be attributed to the breaking down of tribal customs and sanctions and the fact that the authority of Maori elders is less effective in the city where, to an extent, the younger Maoris are detribalized. There is no doubt that, except in a few cases, Maori offenders know right from wrong and are aware when they break the law that they have done so even prior to arrest. It is noticeable, however, that after the age of thirty years offending by Maoris tends to taper off which may indicate an increasing sense of responsibility and maturity in those over thirty years of age. I have no ready made solution for the problems involved. It does seem, however, that Maori parents in rural areas would be well advised to-consider the likely effect of the city and ilts temptations on young people who have never been far away from home before. This applies particularly in those cases where the young people concerned have no relatives in the city who can guide them safely through the crucial first few months in Auckland. Furthermore there is tendency on the part of Maori parents not to claim board from their children once they commence work. This sometimes results in the young person concerned arriving in the city never having made any allowance in his wages for board and basic living expenses. The result is that in the city he may spend his wages too freely and then find that he is in arrears with board and is very short of money before pay day. In this way he might find it difficult to resist temptation. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ Mr Patrick Davis, aged 56, of Ngati Hou, was awarded the Royal New Zealand Humane Society's bronze medal for bravery last February. He had tried, at the risk of his own life, to save an elderly man from electrocution in Auckland.