MAORI GIRLS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1929, Page 1

MAORI GIRLS

WORK FOR CHINESE GARDENERS.

IMMORALITY ALLEGATIONS DISPROVED. 'By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) Thames,. July 20. Statements have Ibecn made in the House by Sir A. Ngata concerning the conditions that the Maori girls who are working for Chinese market gardeners are living under. He said they were living under immoral conditions. Tho statement is proved by investigations made by a reporter and by social workers to be incorrect in so far as the Thames district is concerned. There have been Maori girls wonting for Chinese gardeners botli in the Thames and in Kirikiri during the. tomato season, but these girls have invariably (been accompanied in the Helds by their parents, and have been escorted home to the pas The Maoris appear to be satisfied with their wages agreements with the Chinese, but they are at variance with the gardeners over the contracts for the supply of pea sticks and tomato stakes, of which Thames supplies the majority to the Chinese gardeners for the Auckland suburbs. These sticks are got by Maoris and are sold by Chinese to their compatriots on • ;; commission, and the amount of . the commission usually has caused disputes. Otherwise, .'both races an working harmoniously together.