How can we help the young who ‘get into trouble’ MAORI CLERGY AND SOCIAL WORKERS DISCUSS BORSTAL SURVEY AT RUATOK Reportage by ELSDON CRAIG Moana Raureti (N.P.S. Photograph) This year the Maori section of the National Council of Churches of New Zealand met at Ruatoki during February. The meeting was one of the most successful that the section has held. Discussions took place on a great variety of subjects, including Maori schools, segregation, delinquency, and the drink problem. Many key people in social work spared time to come along and contribute to the discussions. Maori clergy and lay workers were generous in their support for this year's gathering but it would be an advantage if families, individuals and tribal communities sent along representatives to listen to the discussions, even if they do not take part. The first thorough survey of the Maori Borstal population has just been completed. Details of it were given to the conference of the Maori section of the National Council of Churches at Ruatoki by the Rev Hohepa Taepa, of Otaki, and Mr M. Raureti, District Maori Welfare Officer for Waiariki. In many cases the inferences made by the two men coincided and were confirmed by others engaged in redemptive work at the institutions. The survey showed, significantly, that all causes of deliquency cannot be loaded on housing. More than half the Maori borstal inmates come from fair or excellent homes. The Rev Taepa said Maoris were 31 ½ per cent of the inmates of Invercargill Borstal and Burwood Girls' Home, in Christchurch. Between 60 and 70 per cent of them were below average intelligence. Eighty per cent had no direct contact with Church or clergy. The results of the survey are not regarded as conclusive but as being a valuable guide in future examinations of the position and providing a sound basis for more work along these lines. Following are some of the trends which Mr Raureti's examination of 67 Borstal cases revealed: * Maori crime is mainly against property. Breaking and entering, theft, and conversion accounted for 43 of the 67 cases. The difference between the Maori and pakeha attitude to property is attributable to differences in cultural background. A communal way of life has dictated the Maori's different attitude. But both are subject to the pakeha law so that a conflict ensues and many Maoris are gaoled for theft of property committed unknowingly because of their different cultural background. * There is an alarming increase in conversion. This trend does apply to Maoris alone. It is due largely to the carelessness of car owners who are inclined to think of the law only in terms of the protection which it affords. The culprits are subjected to temptation which they cannot resist so that their crimes are unpremeditated and spontaneous. * About half the inmates, 31 out of 67, had come within the scope of a welfare organisation at some stage. Twenty-eight had previously been in institutions.