MAORIS AND T.B.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 66, 20 April 1945, Page 4

MAORIS AND T.B.

■ 1' Sir ? — How pleasing it is to see that a member of the Maori race has struck at the very core of. the T.B. problem amongst his fellows. Mr Tatana is to be. congratulated on the fact, not only that he has made some pertinent remarks but that, the Minister of Health in his report of 1942-43 has said the very same things. Let me quote from the report (Housing and economic conditions). "It is recognised that unsatisfactory housing and economic conditions are " powerful factors in the cause and spread of tuberculosis. In the past tubercoiosis patients discharged from sanitoria or hospital have largely been left to fend for themselves. There is need in New Zealand for some organisation preferably of a voluntary nature which could help these patients when they are considered fit to take up some sort of work. Approximately four-fifths of the known .tuberculosis patients are living in their own homes." The latter remarks indicate thei dire need of more adequate housing. Food also plays a great part in this problem as weil as what Mr Tatana says—education on hygienic government officers to attend to cleanliness etc. The Maoris in these respects has been severely left to" fend for themselves which is just what the report urges should not. be done. There is an old saying "We do not go into the hat shop for pork chops" which would adequately fit this occasion. Yours etc. 5 > J. DITCHFIELD.