MAORI HOUSING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 69, 8 April 1937, Page 7

MAORI HOUSING

H.B. Conditions Generally Not Satisfactory "MIXED" SCHOOLS "The conditions under which the Maori people generally in Hawke's Bay are living are not satisfactory, although the same may be said of other districts as Well,'' said Dr. F. S. Maclean, medical officer of Health for the Hawke's Bay — Wairarapa district, yesterday. He added that the Department of Health was endeavouring as much as possible to educato the Maoris in this province, along with those of other districts, in the matter of hygenio ing"An undertaking has been given by the Government to the effect that the Maeris will ehare in the benefit from the improved housing conditions planned to be brougjht about, and this. will undoubtedly assist the department materially in its work," he added. "There is a high incidence of tnberculosis to be considered, and, in addition, typhoid is also prevalent. The department invegtigates closely every case that occurs, and as a preventive measure is continually doing innoculation work as far as the Maoris will agree to it." He had no doubt in his own mind that conditions for the native race would he vastly better after the housing improvement scheme had been put into operation, Dr. Maclean made reference also to the nneaeiness tvhich had heen appareut among residents in the Hawke's Bay education district whose children attended schools at which Maori children also were pupils. He recalled^that representations had been made to the Hawke's Bay Education Board some time ago by parents Who had been coneerned in regard to this question. Some parents were afraid that by attending the same schools, frhite children might contract disease from native children. It had always been against the policy of the Education Department to eucourage the creation of racial distinctions. From the health viewpoint he could see no objection to "mixed" schools, because he knew of no cases of which children contracting disease from contact with Maori children m fichools. There was little likelihood oi disease spreading in the modern, weilventilated schools. In any case, the department's school medical officers and nurses always kept a watchful eye on the position, for which reason parents need not feel uneasy.