MAORI POPULATION EXPECTED TO BE 135,600 BY 1955

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 7, 8 March 1950, Page 5

MAORI POPULATION EXPECTED TO BE 135,600 BY 1955

Based on the assumption of constant mortality and fertility rates an estimate indicates that by 1955 the total Maori population is likely to reach approximately 135,000, a figure which would be almost double the Maori population of only 30 years ago, says the half-yearly survey conducted by the Department of Labour and Employment:

The survey says: “The very rapid growth of the Maori population, in recent years must a similar expansion in the num-y bers of Maoris reaching working age and requiring employment. The areas in which the increase is largely located are for the most part areas which at present lack the industrial development necessary to absorb the continuing expansion of the Ideally resident labour force. The problems involved in this situation have been under close examination in the last few years.” Under 15 Years It continues: Nearly one half of the total Maori population in December, 1948, of 111,769,. or 46.3 per cent, was under 15 years of age, whereas only 27.1 per cent of the total non-Maori population fell within the same juvenile age groups. The effect of this preponderance of youth in the Maori population on the prospective entrants to the Dominion’s labour force from this source over the next 15 or 16'-years is self evident.

“More and more younger Maoris will be seeking suitable employment —the best part of 51,000 of them over the next 15 years or so,” says the survey. “It is necessary to ensure suitable employment for them, to train them for the opportunities which will be available and to overcome other possible obstacles to employment such as accommodation during training and at work.” Of the total Maori population of 98,744 in the 1945 census, 9097 males and 8902 females are estimated by the survey to be resident in the Gisborne, Napier and Hastings employment, the districts mentioned 1945 Maori census of occupational status indicates that there were 23,132 males and 4224-females in employment, the district mentioned having 3973 males and 760 females. The greatest concentration of Maoris at present, the survey adds, is to be found in areas where industrial development is not such as to absorb locally the steadily increasing numbers of Maoris reaching working age. • Secondary Industries

The proportion of male Maori labour force to be found in secondary industries has almost doubled since 1926, while the proportion of female Maori labour force has risen much more steeply from 1.3 per cent to 11.5 per cent. The number of males engaged in farming pursuits has increased, but the proportion of the Maori labour force in farming has nevertheless fallen. There is convincing evidence that the Maori people have greatly improved the spread of employment opportunities in which they take engagement.”