EDUCATING THE MAORI.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1922, Page 6

EDUCATING THE MAORI.

OFFERING ALL ADVANTAGES, PRACTICAL STEP TAKEN. The education of the Maori scholars in the schools’ under the jurisdiction of the Taranaki Education Board was a subject raised by the chairman of the board (Mr. P. J. H. White) at yesterday’s meeting. In the annual return the board was submitting to the department, Mr. White' said the number of Maoris in schools in the Taranaki education district at the end of last year was 264 boys and 205 girls. Details of Maoris in the various classes were: Preparatory, 154 boys and 124 girls; standard 1, 45 and 26; standard 2, 25 and 15; standard 3,' 19 and 13; standard 4, 10 and 7; standard 5, 8 and S; standard 6, 3 and 2. This question was a very important one, continued the chairman. It had been found, however, that the number in the lowe'r classes was altogether out of proportion to those in the higher standards, as, for’ .instance, there were only five in standard 6.

Speaking as one keenly interested in the welfare of the Maoris, and especially in the natives of this coast, Mr. White said it was very gratifying to know that the Maoris had recently shown a considerable improvement in matters of hygiene and health, due particularly, he believed, to the influence of Ratana. This remark applied particularly to parts of Taranaki, and now, the speaker said, the need should be poinved out to our native friends of interesting themselves in the educational opportunities that now offered. It had been said that, of all Polynesians, the Maori was the only ohe who had su*-*W’iiulb maintained his position whilst 'tAig the white people. Very soon, the speaker felt, there would a complete fusion of the two races. the influences at work, therefore, it was felt that it was only necessary to call attention to the. desirability of native cliildre.i attending the higher classes.. Where Maori children did proceed 'to taese classes, it was found that they were fully capable of imbibing the education imparted. At one school the speaker had recently visited, a Maori lad was the outstanding scholar. He hoped, therefore, that those in authority among the Maoris would see to it that the figures indicating the number in higher classes would be improved this year. . , , Mr. S. G. Smith, MJP., suggested that it would be advisable to refer the matter ;o a afb-committee. to make a recon men. to the board. Probably , a circular, containing the figures quoted by the chairman, and pointing out the educational and other advantages to be rained, could be distributed among the°Maoris, whom, he was sure, would be interested in. it. The chairman then moved that tne question be referred to a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Smith. Trimble, and the chairman. Mr. Masters seconded the motion, which was carried.