Poutaka At the March meeting, presided over by Mrs P. Pitmans, Poutaka members decided to foster the learning of Maori arts and crafts. The first lesson is to be on the boiling and preparation of flax to be used in making mats and baskets.

Awanui Mrs Myra Berghan was hostess for the first meeting of the Awanui branch last February. Discussion was based mainly on the subject of artificial resuscitation and it was decided to hold a demonstration of techniques the following month.

Mr W. HEREWINI VISITS NEW ZEALAND SERVICEMEN During a three-week tour of South-East Asia, Mr W. Herewini, a member of the Dominion Executive Committee of the New Zealand Returned Services Association, had frank discussions with New Zealand servicemen, many of whom were Maoris. He wanted to find out how the R.S.A. could help them with their problems. Mr Herewini arrived at Changi, Singapore, on February 11 and then went to Kuching, Sarawak. New Zealand Air Force personnel at Kuching, after expressing appreciation for Christmas parcels, told him they were dissatisfied with the new rates of pay; they complained that any increase appeared to be Lt. G. W. Kereama, Major J. L. Smith, Mr Herewini and Warrant Officer D. N. Rawiri at Terendak Camp cancelled out by the rise in living costs. On the question of settlement after leaving the service, they all agreed that housing loans at special rates of interest, together with interest-free furniture loans and assistance for trade training and education would be an incentive for others to join the service. On February 14 Mr Herewini visited the headquarters of the New Zealand Far East Land Forces at Singapore, where he met the Commanding Officer, Colonel P. H. G. Hamilton. He later interviewed ten New Zealand seamen on board H.M.S. Mull of Kintyre, the supply ship for minesweepers at the Singapore naval base.