MAORI GIRLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 19 July 1929, Page 5

MAORI GIRLS

AT CHINESE GARDENS CONDITIONS IN AUCKLAND (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, This Day. i Commenting on disclosures made by Sir Apirana Ngata in tho House of Representatives an officer of the Akarana Maori Association said it was known that at the present time there were 54 Maori girls employed in Chinese gardens, and that during the past two years probably 100 had been so employed. The association had proof that a recruiting campaign, had been going on to bring girls from the country. Gobetweens had been too unscrupulous. Maori women, had been going into the Maori .settlements inducing girls to come in. When the practice first started the ostensible call was for labour, but when ypung Maori men offered for positions they were told that girls were wanted. When Maori girls from country districts came to town and tasted the pleasures of town amusement and were told to go back to the kainga, they learned that they could get work in the Chinese gardens and drifted into that kind of life. At a meeting of the Akarana Association last night, as a practical step towards meeting the conditions, it was resolved to perfect arrangements to form a social organisation in Auckland which will provide' Maori girls somewhere to stay when in town, and also rational amusements.