EDUCATED MAORIS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 45, 4 August 1939, Page 3

EDUCATED MAORIS

UNABLE SECURE SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT DRIFT BACK TO PAS Because educated Maoris were unable to obtain suitable employment at the completion of their education they were drifting back to the Maori settlements and agricultural pur_ suits ( the benefit of their education being lost to the race as a whole, said Mr H. S. M. Quigley, at the meeting of the Hawlcc's Bay Education Board in Napier. The discussion did not end in a, formal resolution, although members expressed the opin ion that Mr Quigley's remarks were unfortunately true. "White people do not seem inclin. Ed to give Maoris employment in posi tions of responsibility which would befit the thorough education they have undergone,said Mr Quigley, "and without employment they drift back.to Maori ways of life without the chance they deserve. It seems a great pitj r that after all the efforts of the schools Maoris should be prevented from obtaining an equal status with Europeans in, New Zealand life."' The chief inspector, Mr J. A. Henry:, said he would like to have an opportunity to undertake a comprehensive survey not only of the nrimary schools but the native schools be. fore advancing any reasons for thi.s fact. He agreed that it was widely known that the Maoris were drifting back to the pas, and it seemed a shame and a waste of effort. Mr Henry mentioned that one of the board members not present at the meeting, Mr C. R. Sainsbury, hns investigated the subject and on one occasion hat! made a strong comment that the Maoris were being bred into "a race of coolies.'»