THE MAORI VIEWPOINT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 16, 19 October 1943, Page 5

THE MAORI VIEWPOINT

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

ALLEGATIONS KEENLY RESENTED

NO WIDSEPRE.VD ABUSE

Keen resentment has been expressed' by Maori leaders in this district at the allegations of members of the Whakatane Hospital Board, that money received under the Social Security Fund was the subject of widespread abuse by the recipients. In order to give the Maori viewpoint andl to disabuse the Pakeha mind that such a practice was general, the tribal leaders have approached' Mr Joe Creeke to give voice to the other side of the question on their* behalf, as it was felt that the sentiments expressed at the Board's meeting constituted a definite slur on the race as a whole. Mr Creeke lias interviewed' the BEACON in the above connection and makes* the. following observations:— The Maoris claim that when the question regarding Maori welfare is under discussion by any Local Bodies, it is but right that their views on such matters should he referred to their elders for consideration in order to obtain their co-operation.

The discussion had. raised a strong resentment amongst the Maori communities and he had been aslced to deal with the. points raised as they were reported, and reply to them in a manner which set out the Maori Traction to cach allegation.

(1) "Widespread abuse of Social Security monies by Maoris." lit is only hight that the member who makes such statements should furnish some definite evidence that the majority of the old folks in receipt of Social benefits squander their monetary allowances in hotels. The Maoris claim that the majority of the old folk rarely leave their villages owing to old age and personal physical disabilities and are therefore unable to make the journey into town. It is obvious they say that Social Security payments are not killing these old folks 60 years old and upwards, and they add that tubercular disease is not their failing.

(2) "Tubercular disease amongst the Maori race at present was linked with the abuse of Social Security allowances." The Maoris are definitely of the opinion that Social Security is. a very small factor in the spread of tubercular disease. The dreaded disease had. a linn hold amongst, the Maoris long before ever the intro(hiclion of Social Security. (:j) "The money was .simply wasted on liquor." This statement is made without any foundation, as I have already explained the position as regards to the old folk. iSio doubt this is an exaggerated personal opinion . (i) "Social Security money be handed over to s lore keepers or to Mission Sisters." This system in theory appears quite feasible but the Maoris are afraid it leaves the old folks too much as the mercy of the storekeeper. (.">) "One member quoted a case of an old man visiting an hotel oncfc a month. Thousands of pounds from the Social Security fund was going straight into hotels." This isolated case of an old pensioner applies only to a very low and limited percentage. and also applies equally as much to the Pakeha waster. (<;) "Suggestion that Maoris instead. of receiving money payments they should be. supplied with coupons." Of the coupon system, the .Maoris suggest that this be tried as an experiment on the Pakeha avaster. and they await patiently to see how the. experiment works out. (7) "The appointment of Dr Dawson to attend .the above conference and to bring its views forward Avith special emphasis of the Social Security system as at present administered." A\*e can only express the hope that Dr Dawson will not base his views on tlie manner in Avhieh this subject Avas discussed by the local Hospital Hoard. Discussing the above Mr Crceke said that the Maoris freely admit the serious spread of this dreaded disease amongst them, but the procedure adopted by the Hospital Board in discussing this all-important subject. was totally wrong. There is no doubt cast upon the. sincerity on the members of the Board and it is fully admitted they are a Avell meaning (Continued at foot next column)

band" of enthusiasts but their efforts from a Maori point of view had been misdirected. A National Undertaking This important question of tubtucular control- should be approached more from a national point, of view effecting as it does both Pakelia and Maori communities. We know only too well the ravages of this diseaseand what is urgently needed is toproduce the cure or preventativemeasures to check its spread. Maoris* appeal to the Hospital Board forhelp in this direction; to submit arecommendation for the appointment. of a medical officer to inspect and survey Maori homes, conditions ot living, sanitary arrangements, and what to avoid in their mode of living. This was urgently needed and the Board could count on the. support of the Maori people iu wiiat-». ever future action it may see lit tor adopt in this, directcion. The Maori people respectfully submit for the consideration of the Hospital Board that a Maori _ . . . . . #" representative be appointed on. their Board in order to cooperate when: dealing "with all questions of Maori welfare.