A MAJOR PROBLEM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 15, 15 October 1943, Page 5

A MAJOR PROBLEM

JMAORIS AND SOCIAL SECURITY

WIDESPREAD ABUSE ALLEGED

HOSPITAL BOARD'S DISCUSSION

Arising out of a discussion with regard to a Provincial Conference on the question of tubercular control, the Whakatane - Hospital Board decided yesterday to bring yery forcibly to the notice of the Health Authorities the widespread abuse of Social Security monies by Maoris, wlji'ch it was claimed had a bearing on the growing incidence of disease and' neglect which were growing features of many Maori homes to-day. Discussing the letter Mr H. C. -JYlcCrcady contended that the tuber--cular disease which was causing so much havoc amongst the Maori race •at present was definitely linked with the abuse of Social Security allow- • ances. The money was simply being .paid away lor the henelit. of those Maoris who were addicted, to liquor • and it was time the practice was stopped and the ratepayers given a .i'air deal. Mrs Haultain described the position as iniquitous. The money was not being spent for the purpose of assisting the Maori families and she suggested that it should be. Jianded over to the storekeepers for proper rationing out. of foodstuffs or to the Mission Sisters. "We've got a police force," said Mr McCready. "The onus is not entirely on the Hospital Board to ■deal with these cases. He knew of -an instance where an old man regularly visited the hotel once a month and hired a taxi to get him home. Thousands of pounds from the Soeiali Security fund was going straight into the hotels. Mr McGougan said he hoped what .had been said would be brought forward at the conference. He was of the opinion that instead of giving the Maoris money they should he given coupons so that they •couldn't abuse them. The chairman (Mr L. Buddie): The Social Security scheme is alright in theory and in system but the way iL is administered leaves it open to the severest criticism. The secretary (Mr A. Bridget-) said ithat, in conversation with a East 'Coast doctor on a recent tour, he 3iad learnt that the position was even more acute down there. T.B. was rife and Social Security was largely to blame. The Maoris were paid enough but many families were starving. Mrs Haultain said that, the Women's Institutes had advocated the coupon system for years—this would ensure that the- Maoris had l'ood, • clothing and. shelter. Mr McGougan: Many of the Maoris .lire with us in this thing but they 3eali.se the hopelessness of it under .the present system. Mrs Haultain: Then there are the leeches' and parasites in our own community who are backing up the sj'stem for their own ends. The Board appointed Dr. Dawson •to attend the conference and to. bring its views forward with special emphasis on the evils of the Social Security system as at present -administered.