Chinese and Maori

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 600, 28 February 1929, Page 8

Chinese and Maori

Racial Mixture Causes Alarm

PERIODICAL complaint has been made in New Zealand because of Asiatic association with Maoris, but little lias been done toward systematically investigating the problem. Those who are interested primarily in the welfare of the Maori race now view this miscegenation seriously, and a strong protest has been recorded by Te Akarana Maori Association against the growing association between men from the East and Maori women.

'J'HB association is alarmed, first because official figures disclose a substantial increase among Asiatic entrants to the Dominion, and secondly because SO per cent, of the alien increase within the country during the past five years was due to inter-marriage and the mixture of the races. Specific instances were brought to its knowledge showing adverse effects produced by Asiatics mingling with Maoris. The receipt of this information induced 30 members to support a strong resolution of protest, and the association now wishes to see the Govern-

ment enforce restrictions to prevent what it describes as “sad social results.” It is revealed that there has been surprising apathy in New Zealand in the light of obvious social setbacks resulting from Oriental influence among the natives. In many North Island districts Maori labourers, many of whom are young girls, are found to be working in groups in Chinese gardens, and entirely dependent for their livelihood upon their employers. Pleasant Otaki, near Wellington, possesses the doubtful distinction of being a centre where Chinese and Maori association is particularly pronounced.

The Maoris who are forced to rely upon Asiatics for an existence are mainly those who have lost their land possessions. Speaking generally, the Maori who loses his claim to his tribal possessions comes to the city, and suffers a harder truggle for suitable employment than Europeans. In Auckland alone there are about SOO Maoris,' and of these, SO live precari-

ously. Even Te Akarana Maori Association has been unable to discover how many of these indigent natives manage to live, and it is not surprising, therefore, that many of them are compelled to secure employment at the Chinese gardens. New Zealand’s branch of the Polynesian race had not been affected by Asiatic influence to the same degree as the South Sea group. Hindu dominance in the Fiji Islands, and Japanese and Chinese populations crowding out indolent Hawaiians from their few occupations, have invited strong criticism and special investigation. RAPID RISE OF FOREIGNERS

But the position is not analogous to New Zealand. In Fiji and Hawaii the employment of Asiatic labour was essential for the successful development of the plantations, although those who were responsible for the importation of outsiders scarecly anticipated the rapid rise of the labourers to positions of plantation owners. Vegetable and fruit selling, hotel work, laundering, scrub-cutting, hawking, and gold-mining are occupations which claim the attention of most of the Chinese and Hindus in this country. The census of 1926 showed that there were nearly seven males to one female among the Chinese, and nearly five to one among the Indians. Of the Chinese of full blood, 58 per cent, of the males were over 16, and S 7 per cent, of the females were married. Many of the Chinese have wives in China. Among Chinese-Europeans, the proportion married is much lower. Married males outnumber married females by ten to one, but it is impossible to determine to what extent this is due to Chinese marrying white women.

Many New Zealanders look askance at Chinese and European inter-mar-riage, while the mixture of Chinese and Maoris is almost completely overlooked. HALF-CASTE INFLUENCE

Maori social file generally is improving so rapidly that it is disappointing to the members of the association to learn that a section of the natives has been forced into, or has drifted into, association with foreigners. The Maori tennis tournament which is to be held at Ngaruawaliia shortly is an indication of the new progressive social outlook among natives of both sexes from all the important tribes, and the educated Maoris feel the pressing need for freeing their brethren. from what they consider to be harmful influences.

Chinese-Maori half-castes are familiar in some parts of New Zealand. The last census recorded for the first time the appearance of the descendants of Hindu-Maori and Japanese-Maori parentage. The number of half-castes is not lessening, moreover, and the problem is becoming daily more difficult for solution.

Endeavours are now being made to impress the authorities with the seriousness of these associations, and others interested are to be approached for help.