The majority of Maori men take on heavy jobs needing strength over long periods; many are very able at handling machinery. (NPS Photograph.) interest alone was not the driving force; but he was actuated by the desire to promote the general well-being of the group. With a commoner or a person of no particular rank, steadiness and skill in work helped to secure him a certain status in the community, and carried with them certain distinct social advantages. The driving force which stimulated the activity of the Maori worker was largely due to the necessity to satisfy his vital needs and to the social approval which he received from the other members of his group. He gained tribal prestige: he was often praised for his work: his work was often admired. Usually these tasks were of relatively short duration and if likely to occupy a long period were interspersed with other varied activities or periods of relaxation all designed to break the monotony of continuous effort. All these breaks or lack of continuous effort would upset the average European as being inexcusable. That these people should have no sense of urgency, no proper planning, and the fact that they appeared to have been able to manage perfectly well without time-tables merely made things worse. The European being the product of a civilisation which sets considerable store by having every hour of the day worked out would view the Maori attitude to work with disfavour. On the other hand the primary motive which impelled the Maori to work was the necessity to satisfy the drive of vital needs. There was no means by which he could postpone or prolong the enjoyment of the fruits of his labour when they were ready for use. To him there seemed to be no point in producing goods or food for which he had no immediate use. We have considered the factors that sustained a Maori community in pre-European days although there is an abundance of evidence left to us by early observers like Samuel Marsden, Judge Maning and others to support the view that the Maori of pre-European days was neither lazy nor thriftless but was capable of steady and strenuous work; nevertheless it can be said with some truth of him that he does not as yet take too kindly to occupations which demand unremitting attention and discipline. The communal nature of work, and the diversity of the occupations are two cultural elements which must be adjusted to assure that the Maori of today can fit in better with the pattern of modern condiions. Habits of punctuality and routine will have to be acquired because an individual accustomed to traditional conditions tends to look upon working for another person as he would regard doing a good turn for a friend or neighbour. He is willing to help, but not at the cost of his own convenience.