EDUCATIONAL TRUSTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 July 1938, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL TRUSTS

DEMAND OF THE WAIRARAPA MAORIS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —After, having perused at some length, a report published in Wellington on July 19, referring to the proposed amalgamation of Otaki and, Porirua trusts and Papawai and Kaikokirikiri trusts, for the improvement and maintenance of the existing school at Otaki, I feel that the Maori people of the Wairarapa are not being given any ■‘voice in the matter. As one who travels extensively amongst my people I will say definitely that the opinion expressed is certainly not in favour of amalgamation, and further that the school be located in the Wairarapa. I say candidly that the Kaikokirikiri and Papawai Trust funds represent a heritage and a birth-right that rightly belongs to the children of the Wairarapa and if the powers that be pursue the course suggested by the proposed amalgamation then we will spare no effort to obtain that just consideration which is certainly ours. The Wairarapa College, with its staff and the wide educational scope it covers, is considered to be one of the finest institutions of its kind in the Dominion and such being the case we fail to see the necessity for the Wairarapa Maori children seeking education elsewhere. I trust that the Hikurangi Board of Trustees will realise their duty to the children of ■ the Maori people of the Wairarapa and obtain the co-operation of the Maoris concerned towards a satisfactory solution of this very important question. Thanking you for space. —I am, etc., D. THOMPSON. Hastwells, July 22.