MAORI POPULATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 55, 10 March 1944, Page 4

MAORI POPULATION

IN 1936 the Maori population of New Zealand was shown at 82,326. In September of last year (seven years later) the total was 107,454 —an increase of no less than 25,128 —or in other words slightly under 30 per cent. A momentsi reflection shows that were the Pakeha population to increase to the same extent over the same period we would to-day number over 2,000,000. The Maori population does not include half castes who are officially rated as European, so that the numerical growth in the race is all the more remarkable. Here we have in New Zealand a first-class proposition, which welcome as it is, presents difficulties the solving of which is the joint responsibility of both races.

Saturday's 'Smoko* 1 A full report of Saturday even- ; ing's complimentary 'smoko' ap- ' pears on page 3 of to-day's issue. Chief Churchill At present showing in the window of C. F. Thomas's stationery shop at the upper end of the Strand is the latest painting completed by Mr C. .Griffith a well known local artist. The painting is a representation of the lit. Hon. Winston Churchill as a Maori chieftain aiid is a remarkable combination of the two, even down to the V for victory formed by the feathers in the Rangitira Churchill's hair.

Venue of Red Cross Meeting The attention of members of the local Red Gross organisation is drawn to the change of venue of the meeting now advertised in, today's issue, and which will he held in the County Council Chambers on Tuesday next, March 14, at *2 p.m. Limited Speeches "A most popular feature of the last Welcome Home Smoko was the limitation placed on all speakers, of I five minutes only," said His Worship the Mayor at last Saturday evening's function. '"To-night I have a bell, and like the new speaker of the House, I have "».vill not hesitate to use it, for what 1 My—goes.'' .