MAORI COUNCIL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 34, 17 December 1943, Page 5

MAORI COUNCIL

MATATUA ELDERS MEET

At a meeting of members of the Matatua Maori Council held, recently at Ruatoki which was attcniledjiy Officers of the Police and Health Departments. The. question of enforcing the ]>y-laws under the Maori Council Act bv all Komiti Maraes under the jurisiKc.tion of the Matatua Maori Council was I'u'.ly discussed and duly approved.

Sergeant Farrell. Police Sergeant at Whakatane, rendered a very useful address dealing with the. major problems eon fronting the Maori people at the present time, particularly the question of drinking and gambling which is quite prevalent not only among the Maori people but the Pakcha.s also. He stated that as the police officers: of the: district are willing to co-operate with the Maori Council, the enforcement of its by-hv\vs and the proper funo.' tioning of. the Ivomiti Maracs under the Act, would greatly help in tlie solving of these and other problems.

■Mr Thompson unci Mr Wallwork both of the Health Department, •spoke oil matters pertaining to the general health of the Maori people. They brought before the notice of the Council that the pip'is <m the bed of the Whakatane River has been condemned and a resolution from that body was needed and .same to be published as a warning to the general public that the taking away of same for human consumption is prohibited.