A SORDID MIXTURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3691, 15 September 1927, Page 4

A SORDID MIXTURE.

MAORI GIRLS AND ASIATICS. The association of Maori girls with Asiatics in the vicinity of Auckland is a social menace which

is seriously engaging the attention of the Akarana Maori Association (says an exchange). One particularly flagrant case was recently before the courts. ,1° this instance a Chinese was charged with a serious offence against a young native girl. As some doubt was expressed, however, as to the actual age of the girl, the Chinese accused was discharged. This was the case in which a Mffori family were employed by a Chinese market gardener. The mother, in her evidence, declared that she regarded the girl and accused as engaged. Not only Maori girls but European girls as well, it was pointed out at a meeting in Auckland last week of the association, were living with Chinese in the vicinity of Auckland. Reference to the association of Maori girls and Hindus was also made. It was decided to communicate with leading members of the Chinese community in Auckland asking for their support in suppressing what was considered a menace to Maori womanhood. It was desired to obtain the assistance of the Chinese merchants who employ so many of their countrymen in market gardens in and near the city to prevent the employment of Maori women in these gardens. One Auckland resident of Maori blood was considerably surprised) the other day to find several Maori girls living at a Chinese garden at no great distance from the c-ity and going about ordinary domestic duties as if they had been living there for some time.