HEALTH OF MAORIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2020, 26 August 1919, Page 1

HEALTH OF MAORIS.

SPECIAL OFFICER APPOINTED. The appointment of Dr. Rangihiroa as a special health officer for the Native race has been announced by the Minister of Public Health, in a general statement concerning the activities of the Department among the Maoris. “During the past four years special consideration has been given to tlnf health of the Maori race,’-’ said the Hon. G. W. Russell. “It has been found that many of them live under insanitary conditions, and that there is not only a lack of knowledge, but also a lack of will, in connection with matters relating to the health and particularly of children. From time to time reports have been received from the health officers regarding the Native race,' and a number of nurses have at various times been appointed for special work amongst' the Maoris. In some cases these were women of the Native race, or helf-castes, who had had full training in hospitals. “The epidemic of last year was disastrous in a marked degree to the Maoris, as is invariably the ease with the dark races. Through the epidemic full information w.gs obtained of the condition under which the Maoris live, and after the epidemic subsided circulars were sent to every Maori village, reciuesting the inhabitants to establish committees of health, and setting out live linos which those committees should act upon in securing cleanliness and hygienic conditions. A veiw large number of replies have been received expressing thanks for the information given and reporting the establishment of the committees advised.

“A further step has now been taken by the appointment of Dr. Rangihiroa as a special officer of health for the Native race. Dr. Rangihiroa, or Dr. Buck, as he is known among his European friends, is a graduate of Otago University, and was formerly M.P. for Northern Maori, district. Ho went array with the Forces, and did line service l in the war, first as a medical officer and latterly as a military ■ officer, being in each capacity closely associated with his own people. On his return a few months ago he acceded to my request to join the. Health Department,'and he now holds the rank of. District Health'Officer within any of the health districts of the Dominion, his special duty being to watch over the health of the Native race. “I feel sure that under so able and enthusiastic an'officer as Dr. Rangihiroa, a great step forward will be taken in the matrer,”