rather than have these interests bought by the Maori Trustee they would like to see an incorporation manage them for the owners. Their idea was to have a controlling body of seven members to control lands and reserves in the South Island, such as the Rapaki Block, in the same way as incorporations do in many parts of the North Island. The conference took no decision, because it would be necessary to discuss so far-reaching a proposal with their people and kaumatua. Although the future of the land was the chief subject of the conference, many other topics were touched upon, from the establishing of sports fields to the protection of pigeons. The Department of Maori Affairs was asked, in conference remits, to establish a Land Court office in Christchurch and a Welfare Office in Invercargill. Help in teaching South Islanders the Maori culture was also applied for. Plans for a summer school in Maori culture in Christchurch were discussed. Delegates also planned their own efforts: community buildings in Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill and extension of the building in Bluff. A majority of delegates decided such buildings should be called maraes, not community centres. Every encouragement is to be given to recreation and sporting interests; some young people should be persuaded to go through a physical culture course so they could act as leaders. The next conference of South Island executives will be held in Invercargill next year and will include a sports tournament. The Industries and Employment sub-committee led by Thomas Bailey of Motueka thoroughly surveyed the Maori employment scene in the South Island. The main means of livelihood, they decided, were the freezing works, shearing, mutton-birding, factories (but jobs in these factories were classed as ‘semi-permanent’), the waterfront and the tobacco, hops and fruit industries. The most reliable of all these is the waterfront. Mr Bailey stressed the need for encouraging young people to take up apprenticeships and conference adopted this as a remit. This conference will have done much to stimulate Maori activities in the South Island; next year‘s function in Invercargill promises to be a lively event. It will need much preparation, not only on the sports side, but also in getting local committees to make definite decisions on outstanding points before conference starts. If an incorporation is formed this would be a source of funds needed for the cultural and community activities the South Island people want. However, nobody, neither the Rapaki delegates nor any others, seemed to be sure of sufficient support for the idea of incorporation and a body corporate administering land scattered over so wide an area will need very careful management. The Government is studying the remits asking for an extension of departmental activities in the South Island. Dr Pohau Ellison, conference president, meets Mr Wera Couch of Rapaki. (Photo: George Weigel)