NORTHLAND MAORI WORK.

White Ribbon, Volume 50, Issue 6, 18 July 1944, Page 2

NORTHLAND MAORI WORK.

Whangarn, June 7. President in chair. Devotions, Mrs. Whalley. Iwo solos by Mrs. Auld. Mr. L. Davis, Secretary of the Maori Tribal Committee, addressed the meeting. “I am very happy to mee» the W.C.T.U. women, because of the great -espect 1 have for Mrs. W. Kake, orte of your members. The Maori Tribal Committee’s primary object is the uplift of die Maori race, especially the youth.

‘‘So far, much of our time las been absorbed in war work, recruiting for the army and home services, and keeping hack some of the Maori fanners.

‘‘The next important work was recruiting surplus labour for the Manpower Board. Here was tlie difficulty caused by overcrowding. In order to remedy this we wish our youth to he taught carpentry. Rev. Hadfield as men’s liaison officer and Mrs. Mather as women’s liaison officer, do a great work in Whan gam. They come in contact with so many jteople that their advice is valuable.

“We find that lack of higher education keeps some of our jieople out of important. positions, so we try to persuade our girls to take up training. There are three medical students and man) nurses in training. One nurse, training in the Tc Kopura hospital is a girl won to active Christianity by Mr. and Mrs. Withers. Three others arc definitely taking up missionary work. Thirty girls ate training as policewomen. One, we hope to get for Wliangarei. As there are JOU committees north of Auckland City, the responsibility is widespread, and members in their own districts try to deal with the liquor trouble. There is ik) liquor at our meetings, or in the houses of committee members. “Many of our Maori mothers are members of the Mothers’ Union. Others arc W.C.T.U. member*. These women keep our Sunday Schools going.

“What we want now is a vigorous youth movement, and advanced education, so that our boys and girls w ill stand alongside yours as University men and women.

“How can you help us? By putting an end to the prejudice which exists amongst <ome of your people against people of other races than their own. We also hope to have a Girls’ Hostel, and you can help by making this public and giving it your approval ”

Members then asked the q>eaker a numl»er of questions and he made some jioints much clearer.