DESTITUTE MAORIS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 400, 14 July 1928, Page 11

DESTITUTE MAORIS

RELIEF SOUGHT I MANY IN DISTRESS In tho old days a Maori could always Sot food by going to a pa or to friends. ! but to-day it is different, said Mr. J. Rukutai. a member of a deputation from the Akarana Maori Association, which appealed to the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday for co-operation in dealing with Maoris in distressed circumstances. Mr. Rukutai. who is president of the association, said that unfortunately there was a section of the Maori population in Auckland which was very badly off. Young Maoris left their homes in the country to seek work in ; the cities and to participate more in i the life of the pakeha. Many of them were unable to obtain employment, and tho result was that a number had to apply for relief. He urged that his association should be allowed to cooperate with the board in dealing with such cases. Mr. George Graham said that no doubt there were many Maoris paying rates who were entitled to relief when they applied for it. Tho chairman of the board. Mr. W. Wallace, said that when in Wellington this week he approached the Prime Minister in regard to the question and ho was very sympathetic, promising That something would be done immediately. “When cases of genuine distress come before us we make no distinction between Maori or pakeha.** added Mr. Wallace. “We have given Maoris relief and will continue to do so.’*