WELFARE OF THE NATIVES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3472, 12 March 1912, Page 6

WELFARE OF THE NATIVES.

MAORIS IN CONFERENCE. YOUNG MAOrTpARTY AT NUHAKA. “On the whole it was a fairly successful conference as far as the attendance and matters discussed were concerned,” remarked the Rev. Pine Tarnahori to a representative of the Gisborne Times last evening when approached regarding the 16th annual conference of the Young Maori Party which opened at Nuhaka on Thursday last- and concluded on Saturday. Continuing, the reverend gentleman stated that owing to the weather, and the place being out of the way, a number of the leading members of the party were unable to attend, among them being Hon. A. T. Ngata, Rev. R. T. Kohere, Dr Wi Repa and Taranaki Te Ua. Mr J-. Thornton presided, and most of the matters discussed -were chiefly concerning local needs. Among these was the question of medical supply for the Maoris.' Two motions were brought up in connection with this matter. One was to ask the Government to appoint doctors in isolated districts and the other that a cottage hospital should be erected at Nuhaka. The first motion, which applied to outlying districts where doctors could not be procured, had special reference to Nuhaka and the surrounding district. The whole question of Maori medical need was thoroughly discussed and it was eventually decided to instruct the chairman to communicate with the Government regarding the whole matter with a view to appointing medical practitioners for such districts. The Dairying Industry. '

“Another important resolution that was discussed,” said the Rev Mr Tamaliori, “was one concerning the dairying industry. Some years ago the Nuhaka Maoris commenced dairying, aided by two well-known farmers in the district. The Maoris were just beginning to realise the advantages to be derived from the industry when trouble in connection with their factory arose; coupled with the destruction of their bridge leading to the factory. These two contingencies compelled a number of them to dispose of their herds, though some retained their cows and have continued operations up to the present time. Ihaka AVhaanga, a leading chief, is one of those who kept his herd and he was the one most anxious to see the industry revived. After a long discussion it was eventually decided that the Hon. A. T. Ngata be approached in order to ascertain if the Government would grant financial assistance to the Nuhaka Natives for the purpose of carrying on dairying.” The matter of applying to the Government to appoint more Native Land Court Judges was also dealt with. This was discussed in connection with the previous subject, and it was pointed out that one of the difficulties in the way of successfully carrying on the industry was the fact that the lands were not- yet individualised. .It was decided to communicate with th,e Government on the matter. One subject which the conference gave a good deal of time to, said the Rev. Mr. Tamahori, was the marriage question, and it was unanimuosly agreed that something should he done to educate the Maori and impress upon him the seriousness of the marriage contract. Maoris and Hotels. A good deal of attention was also given to the practice of hotelkeepers in certain towns not allowing Maoris to board at their hotels. The matter was fully discussed, and a number of those present gave instances of where they had been turned out of hotels. One of the members said that he had visited a fairly large town in which there were a number of hotels. He inquired for lodgings at all of them, but received the one answer “There is no room.” He went to a policeman, and together they visited a hotel. The policeman, instead of inquiring into the matter, sent the gentleman in to inquire whether he could get accommodation. He was again told that there was no room, and could not get any satisfaction from the policeman. The result was that he had to walk the streets all night, and in the morning he took train to another town. The conference decided to communicate with all Licensing Committees in the Dominion on the subject, more particularly with those in districts where the practice appeared to be the most prevalent. On Saturday morning, concluded the Rev. Mr Tamahori, a paper prepared by the Rev. F. W. Chatterton' on the Maori local option question, was read. The matter was fully discussed, and it was evident that those present were in sympathy with the proposals made. The paper aimed at urging the conference to appoint a young man who was thoroughly in sympathy with the proposals to work up interest in the district in regard to the question.