A Survey of MAORI WORK IN AUCKLAND

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 9, 1 October 1950, Page 2

A Survey of MAORI WORK IN AUCKLAND

By Sitter Jessie Alexander (Formerly of the Presbyterian Maori Mission.)

Readers of the “White Ribbon” may be interested to know vvliat development has been taking place in Maori life, especially in the life of the young people these days. Compulsory education, compulsory learning of English in the primary schools, and the inevitable daily contact of Maori with Pakeha in school life, all lias helped to break down the barrier between the two races. But it was the War that gave the Maori the opportunity of adventure, so that he might prove his worth in courage and leadership. The Maori Battalion in both wars made history, and placed the races on an equal footing, so that, today, we do not speak of the Maori and Pakeha of New Zealand, but of both races as “New Zealanders,’ with the same chances of education and development.

Then again, today, we see both races working happily together in office —worksho|>—in the training schools for teachers and nurses. Yes, and in the Universities, seeking higher education.

Twelve years ago, there were few Maoris in the cities, and the girls then were mostly in domestic service. Cut the War called for volunteers for Military Camps and for essential work in factories making uniforms fqr soldiers.

Industries of many kinds came into being during this period and the advertisements in the daily newspapers reached the most hack-block homes, and brought Maori youth to work in the towns and cities. The United Maori Mission came into being twelve years ago, and it soon saw the great need of caririfc for the welfare of the Maori youth coming to Auckland City. In 1940, this Mission secured a house in Union Street, and soon had 12 girls in residence and (hat little home became the real centre of training. It is good to know that from this home, there a»-e now three trained missionaries on the field, working amongst their own people. Also two fully trained nurses, and some have been on the Hostel Staffs. As the War developed, and Maori youth continued to crowd to the City, the Native Department, led by the Minister of Native Affairs, showed great interest and sympathy, and, in a very practical way, helped to establish five hostels in Auckland. In 1943, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union Hostel was officially opened at 9 Cleveland Road. Parnell, with 20 girls, and this work has continued most successfully. In 1944. another Hostel was opened in Hepburn Street. Ponsonby, and that too, has been filled with working girls and later with secondary school girls.

In 1945, the Presbyterian Maori Girls’ Hostel in Portland Avenue, Ml. Eden, for workers, school trainees, and schoolgirls, was opened and has been a very busy centre for over JO girls. Then the needs of the Maori boys became pressing, and the Native Department gave possession of a house in Gillies Avenue, to the United Maori Mission, with the responsibi’ity of caring for 38 boys. Last but not least, in 1°47, t lie Shelly Beach Hostel was opened with 25 girls. These Hostels all became Chris' ar homes, where our Maori young | , eo§J* are being cared for physically, mentally and spiritually. The Hostel life encourages every art, towards the making ot Christian homes. It is good to see the girls knitting and dressmaking in the evenings and taking part in Christian services and speaking often in public. This Race has wonderful gifts and needs only the sympathy and help of the Pakeha. to display rare talents. The Sunday evening service in the Y.M.C.A., under the leadership of the United Maori Mission has an average attendance of ISO young people listening to teaching that will help them to the Christian way of life. Many Maori Christians take a prominent part in this service. Temperance education is not neglected in the Hostels—many of the young people are members of the Maori “Y“ Branch. Pray for the Maori Work—everywhere !