MAORI HYGIENE HEADQUARTERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 10

MAORI HYGIENE HEADQUARTERS

VIGOROUS protests by The Sun, by influential authorities on Maori requirements, arid by the Maoris themselves, have had the effect of, at least, causing the Government to think again over its ill-advised proposal to transfer the headquarters of the Director of Maori Hygiene from Auckland to Wellington. It is reported from Wellington that the transfer is being held in abeyance, though “it had been decided upon,” pending inquiry by the director, “as to the most suitable centre from which to conduct operations.” There was never any doubt in the minds of the people most directly concerned as to the most suitable centre. Auckland—the capital of the province that contains two-thirds of the Maori race—is in an unchallengeable position, and it never entered any mind but that of a centralismmad administration to invent a pretext for change. The excuse of the Health Department, it is said, is that siuee the greater part of the work of the Maori Hygiene Division must pass through its hands, more speedy and efficient working would be obtained by having the office of the director near headquarters—and, it might be added, hundreds qf miles away from the chief centres of Maori population, where the workers of the department should he busy. But perhaps the department desires to preach hygiene by post and leave its practice to be problematical.

The overwhelming view, and the sane view, is that the headquarters of any activity concerning the welfare of the Maoris should be near the centre of Maori population. The Government would be wise to concentrate on matters which really call for attention, and to leave well alone. It certainly should not seek to drown the activities of the Maori Hygiene Division in its sea of centralisation. •