CLOTHING FACTORY FOR RUATOKI SUGGESTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 72, 5 December 1949, Page 5

CLOTHING FACTORY FOR RUATOKI SUGGESTED

A scheme is now being considered by Maori leders of Ruatoki and members of the Department of Maori Affairs for the possible establishment at Ruatoki of a clothing factory of some kind, which would give employment to Maoris of Ruatoki who do not want to pursue a farming career. At present nothing has been decided but it is hoped that something will spring from the suggestion. For some time the authorities of Ruatoki have been concerned at the lack of opportunity for young people in the area not interested in farming. It has meant one or two undesirable results. Those young Maoris, who receive high school education must either remain at their homes at Ruatoki and follow farming or they must leave the district.

To overcome this it has been suggested that a clothing factory might be established in the district. The plan is that the Maori authorities will provide the land and labour but they would want an experienced manufacturer to establish the project with their assistance. Although many pitfalls are seen in the scheme the Maoris are keen to see such a business established and they can guarantee the necessary labour. They have proved in the past at Ruatoki that they are learning to run their own affairs and point to the successful management of the factory and co-opera-tive store. If such a scheme were undertaken the Department of Maori Affairs would probably want some connection with it, if only in an advisory capacity.