TRAINING THE MAORI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 371, 4 June 1928, Page 1

TRAINING THE MAORI

ROMAN CATHOLIC EFFORT COLLEGE AT NORTHCOTE PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH Built on a promontory overlooking Great Shoal Bay, Northcote, St. Peter’s Rural Training School for Maori boys was opened yesterday by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. The college, which cost £6.000, has been erected by the Roman Catholics for the purpose of instructing Maori boys in trades and agriculture. There was a large attendance of clergy and laity at the ceremony, which was favoured by bright sunshine. The college stands on a site of 30 acres, and will accommodate 25 students and three instructors. Bishop Cleary said that the Maori was an asset, not only to.the Dominion, but also to the Empire. He had qualities of physique and intellect, and during the Great War showed that he was still possessed of the old valour. He paid a tribute to the guidance given by Mr. Coates as Native Minister, and thanked also the Mayor and councillors of Northcote for their interest in the college. He also thanked the Government for its financial assistance. APPRECIATED EFFORTS “The Government fully appreciated the efforts of the Roman Catholic community in this great work to help the Maori race,” said the Prime Minister. “At heart, the Maori is an agriculturalist and man of crafts, and it is along those lines that he will be trained at St. Peter’s.” Mr. Coates went on to say that since 1880, the education of the Maori had been in the control of the Education Department. Now there were 134 native village schools, with a total roll of 6,620. State-subsidised denominational schools provided adequate secondary education. “It is essential to see that the Maori absorbs the right atmosphere,” said Mr. Coates. “There is a tendency for the native of a newly-civilised land to acquire the worst and forget the best, although this was less the case'in New Zealand than elsewhere. “It is not long,” he said, “since Hone Heke lowered our flag on more than one occasion, but the past was f jrgotten at the signing of the Treaty, of Waitangi. “The Maori respected that treaty, and it should be remembered that the Maori did not surrender, but signed a treaty.” Mr. Coates went on to say that present relations with the Maori illustrated British ability to effect amalgamation with a native race. The Maori, having adopted civilisation, should be assisted in his training as much as possible. Dean Van Dijk, Superior of the Maori Missions, said that the college had been financed to the extent of £4,000 out of the diocesan funds, and £2,000 had been given by the Maori Purposes Board. It v/ould cost £I,OOO a year to maintain the school, therefore further generous support was necessary.