I wish I could say the same about the record of the Maori in track and field athletics. Just why there has not been a greater share of success—due, perhaps, to the lack of numbers competing—might be overcome one of these days, because I am honest in my conviction that New Zealand's first male field-event champion at an Olympic festival could be a Maori—if he concentrated on the hop-step-and-jump. Here is an event in which rhythm and timing play a most important part, two essentials which Maori sportsmen and dancers seem to inherit. Years ago, right up the East Coast of the North Island, I saw a Maori in bare feet equal the New Zealand record at the hop-step-and-jump, but he was far from an amateur club, and regular competition, and nothing more was heard of him. Surely there must be a few of the younger brigade, eager to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956, who could be persuaded to take on field events? I'm sure they would get all the help they needed—by correspondence, due to locality—from that excellent coach Jim Bellwood, coach to our woman Olympic champion, Yvette Williams. Years ago—back in 1896—New Zealand's best pole vaulters were two Maori athletes, Jimmy Te Paa and Hori Eruera. They held the New Zealand title between them for three years, Hori winning the Australasian championship in 1897, and Jimmy taking it two years later. In swimming, Bill Whareaitu represented New Zealand at the British Empire Games held in London in 1934. He was New Zealand's best at the back-stroke, and a year or two later young Nawi Kira, of the Bay of Plenty, was New Zealand's best girl swimmer. Ike Robin, giant among big wrestlers, was New Zealand wrestling champion — and a worthy representative of the Maori race, too—before the ancient sport introduced a touch of vaudeville, or showmanship. He wrestled world champion Stanislaus Zbysko to a draw in a match at Auckland about 30 years ago. But, before Robin's time, another Maori, Moana Paratene, who also played a good game of football, was New Zealand's best wrestler. At boxing—and I'm pleased at this—only one Maori has earned international fame. His name was Herbert Slade, and he went to America 70 years ago to fight the great John L. Sullivan, world champion. Boxing is one sport the Maori athlete might well afford to leave alone. It has a punishing effect on the mentality, and the more finely-balanced the intellect the greater the risk of permanent mental damage. Unusual words from a sportswriter? Yes, but written honestly by one who has long admired the Maori athlete, and who wants to see him steer clear of unnecessary dangers associated with sport. My ambition is to see a Maori Olympic champion, a true representative of New Zealand, crowned at the Olympic Games in Melbourne. Time is short—but this can be done! Kia Whaka Ngawari Au Ia Hau!

EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES Attention to the existence of officially established agencies which can help Maoris to find suitable employment has been drawn by the Employment Office of the Maori Affairs Department following an enquiry to Te Ao Hou by a correspondent in Masterton. The correspondent wrote saying it seemed it would be of great benefit to the Maori people to have some sort of employment agency set up in each community. When the correspondent's enquiry was referred to the Employment Officer of the Maori Affairs Department, he said such agencies already existed. ‘It is the special sphere of the Labour and Employment Department to find work for any person, whether pakeha or Maori, who is out of work or wanting certain positions,’ he said. ‘There are branch Offices of the Department in all the main centres. There is one in Masterton Any person can call and discuss his or her problem. ‘Under the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act, 1945, Maori Welfare Officer have been appointed to act, when required, as a liaison between members of the Maori race and the Labour and Employment Department any other Government Departments, and with the general public in all matters of employment. ‘A special employment section has been created in the Department of Maori Affair for the purpose of directing the youth of the Maori race into useful and worthwhile avenue of employment, and in the establishment of hostels to accommodate Maori boys and girl coming into the main cenres for employmen training and further studies.’ PRINTED BY THE PAGASUS PRESS LTD., 82 OXFORD TERRACE, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND