CONDITIONS AT RATANA

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1926, Page 3

CONDITIONS AT RATANA

IMPROYEMEN i 8 -NECESSARY. WELLINGTON, June 5. The recent review of a medical officer of the conditions under which Natives arc living at Katana village revives the question as to the necessity of the settlement being brought into lino with the other Maori kaiangas of New Zealand. The Maori inhabitants, other than the Katana, faction, come within the jurisdiction oi the Maori councils, or at least the .‘lmitation and hygenic requirements of their villages are attended to by the village committees working under the-’ councils. Past experience bus proved the value of the village committee scheme working in co-operation with Dr Buck, the director;, of Maori hygiene, and it is hoped that the day will not be far distant when tic Natives grouped at Katana avail themselves similarly.

The Minister of Health (the Hen. J. A. Y'oung) is naturally anxious that all the Maoris throughout New Zealand should live in the healthiest surroundings, and in reply to a. question ho informed a “Lyttelton Times’’ representative that Dr M’Kibbin had made his recent visit to the settlement for the express purpose of ascertaining just how matters stood. He had found that certain improvements of the sanitation and housing policy in the village were imperatively necessary in the interests of the health and welfare of the community, and in making 1 is observations he had been actuated by the sole desire to assist in that direction. The visit revealed only too clearly the needs of the settlement, and Dr M’Kibbin hi id lost no time in directing attention to them. The Health Department, added the Minister, wanted to assist the Natives, including the Katana people, and at present were working conjointly with the Department of Native Affairs to that end.

In reply to a further question, Mr Young explained that as far.".as sanitation and water supply were concerned, there as nothing to prevent the Natives from raising funds on their own initiative. The Health Department had no powers to grant subsdies. Any such applications should be made to the Department of Native Affairs, which always accorded them the most sympathetic consideration.