TAI TOKERAU YOUNG MAORI LEADERS REGIONAL CONFERENCE by REX WILSON Held at the Intermediate School, Whangarei, on 11th, 12th and 13th December, opening on Friday night—attended by approx. 100, including 35 delegates to conference. Officially opened by Mr J. F. Johnson, Mayor of Whangarei. Other speakers—Mr S. M. Morrison of Adult Education; Mr Mohi Tito, local elder; and Conference Chairman, Mr J. C. Henare. There was a short Church Service led by Archdeacon Paki Tipene. As the official party approached the stage they were challenged by Mr B. Hita. After the Mayor had picked up the stick, signifying that he came in peace, a powhiri was given by Mrs E. Randell and Mrs A. Rose. On the Saturday morning the delegates met in three round tables and discussed Economic Conditions in Northland, with particular emphasis on land titles, land development and employment for Maoris other than farming. On the Saturday night, after having tea at the Maori Community Centre, a panel of four met to discuss problems facing the Maori seeking employment in Northland. Members of the panel were Mr A. Kerr, Building Contractor of Whangarei, Dr Maharaia Winiata of Adult Education, Mr Buxton, Headmaster of Northland College, and Mr Hawthorn, Headmaster of Kaitaia College. This topic provoked some very interesting discussion, and drew a number of questions from the floor. On the Sunday morning a plenary session was held to discuss the various reports of the discussion that took place on the Saturday. The conference was closed at midday by the Conference President. During the conference the delegates stayed at the Ngararatunua Marae and on the Sunday afternoon a wind up banquet was held there. This regional conference, which was the first to be held following the Auckland National Conference, proved very popular, and it is hoped to run a similar conference during the May holidays of 1960. The next conference will be held in some other Northland centre. Under the National Service Registration Act, all youths, including Maoris, must register within 14 days of their eighteenth birthdays. Registration means you have a medical examination and go on a Register for six years. There is no military training. Failure to register makes you liable to prosecution. Registration forms may be obtained from the Labour Department and Post Offices. Employers are obliged to see that those of their employees who are liable have duly registered. Officers of the Cook Islands Administration who learn to speak the local Maori dialect will in future qualify for a special bonus of £50 per year. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ Mr Whatarangi Winiata, the N.Z. University and Wellington representative rugby forward, has been awarded an international Rotary fellowship for study abroad. He is a public accountant in Wellington.