M.W.W.L. Conference at Whangarei

Te Ao Hou, September 1968, Page 33

M.W.W.L. Conference at Whangarei ‘Northern Advocate’ photographs Mrs Miraka Szaszy presents the new trophy to Mrs Ruiha Sage The opening ceremony of the Maori Women's Welfare League conference at Whangarei on the evening of 22 July was very well attended. Special guests were Queen Te Atairangikaahu, Patron of the league, and the two Maori women members of Parliament, Mrs Iriaka Ratana and Mrs Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan. The Hon. J. R. Hanan, Minister of Maori Affairs, opened the conference and spoke of the change in status for Maori women with the passing of the new Property Amendment Act. Now a Maori widow would be treated the same as a Pakeha widow, and receive the first $12,000 of her deceased husband's estate. He also spoke of the opportunities to help their fellows that were open to members of the League. Combined local concert parties entertained the delegates and guests. In her annual report presented next morning, the retiring Dominion President, Mrs Ruiha Sage, stressed the need to find the basic cause for the high percentage of Maori inmates in penal, detention and borstal institutions. In her interviews with superinintendents she had been told that from 40 to 50 per cent, and in one case, 90 per cent, of the inmates were Maori. She said that those in trouble were not worthless delinquents utterly beyond help and hope, but boys and girls who for a variety of reasons lacked the love and security which would have helped them through the years when they were learning to adjust themselves to the demands of life and its many temptations. She felt that the league could help by organizing regular visits to penal institutions and by correspondence. A highlight of the day was the unveiling of a new trophy, a carved figure of a young Maori girl. Presented by Mrs M. Szaszy, the trophy will be competed for annually in a Maor Oratory competition open to Maori and Pakeha girls and boys. That evening delegates assembled to hear Judge Nicholson of the Maori Land Court speak on the effects of the new Maori After the official opening, Mr Hanan speaks to little Huia Rose, who presented sprays to the visitors, and her father, Mr W. Rose.

‘Northern Advocate’ photographs The first three place-getters in the ‘Young Maori Woman of the Year’ contest, from left; Miss Ngapare Hopa, Mrs Letty Brown, the winner, and Mrs Ramona Lee. Affairs Amendment Act, and Dr M. Paewai speak on budget counselling. During his talk, Dr Paewai recommended ‘family evenings’—one evening per week set aside exclusively for family activities. He felt that in these days when so many were involved in so many activities, this would help to keep families together. The trophies were presented the same evening. Entries for the Te Puea Trophy were judged by Mr H. Spragg, principal of Kamo High School, and the winner was Morrinsville Isolated Branch. The Penrhyn Trophy was awarded to Rotorua District Council. Highly commended were Dunedin and Hakatere Isolated Branches. A Morrinsville woman, Mrs Eli Ewing, won the Joan Walmsley cup for taniko weaving, and the McEwen Trophy, which goes to the area showing the greatest yearly increase in membership, went to Te Waipounamu. Murupara Isolated Branch, which last year presented a waka huia to hold the presidential Chain of Office, then presented a silver plaque for the waka huia. On Wednesday the delegates settled down to conference business, and in the evening heard an interesting discussion on ‘Maoritanga Today’. Members of the panel were Mr G. Latimer, Dr P. Hohepa and Dr D. Sinclair, and the chairman was Mr Te Hau. Mr Buck Nin concluded the evening with an explanation of his abstract paintings, which formed part of the stage decoration. The final day of the conference saw the election of officers. Mrs Miria Karauria of Mount Maunganui, former Area Representative for Tainui, was elected Dominion President, and Mrs Meremere Penfold was re-elected a vice-president. The new vice-president was Mrs Hine Potaka of Te Puke. The social event that night proved a very enjoyable finale to the conference, and the most exciting event of the evening was the announcement of Mrs Letty Brown of Te Atatu, Auckland, as ‘Young Maori Woman of the Year’. The judges, Messrs John Booth, Ewan Taylor, Graeme Latimer, William Herewini and John Harre, and Mrs M. Logan, a former Dominion President, At the close of the final business session was the ‘coronation’ of the mock ‘Woman of the Year’. From left; Mrs Miria Logan, Hastings, Mrs Whia McClutchie, Ruatoria, Mrs Whina Cooper, Auckland, and Mrs Rachael Wharerau, Papakura.

Some of the Maori Wardens at the conference. From left, seated; Mrs M. Mikaere, Tauranga, Mrs E. Randall, Whangarei, Mrs R. Heperi, Okaihau, Mrs J. Ruka, Kaikohe and Mrs R. Kenny, Porirua, Standing; Mrs M. Lister, Whangarei, Mrs H. Weka, Tikitiki, Mrs M. Carr, Hawera, Mrs H. Rapatini, Kaikohe, Mrs W. McClutchie, Ruatoria, Mrs M. Ross, Invercargill, Mrs E. Mountain, Kawakawa and Mrs M. Karauria, Tauranga. National Publicity Studios had a difficsult job sorting out the contestants. The first three were very close, but the thing that impressed the judges about the winner was that although she had had no special advantages or opportunities, she had used her talents for leadership in an outstanding way. Her main contribution to the community had been her play centre work, but she also served in an executive continued on page 50 Te Waipounamu delegates delighted to have won the McEwen Trophy. In front, Mrs T. Patea, Christchurch, Mrs E. Grooby, South Island Area Representative, Miss M. Wallscott, Dunedin, and Mrs R. Arahanga, Taumutu.