MAORI EDUCATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1938, Page 4

MAORI EDUCATION

VIEWS OF THE MEMBER FOR MASTERTON SUPPORT FOR HOSTEL PROJECT An emphatic opinion that the trusts which existed for the benefit of the Wairarapa Maoris should be administered in such a way as to enable Maori youths to avail themselves of the excellent facilities now offered at Wairarapa College was expressed by Mr J. Robertson, member for Masterton, at at the gathering at Te Orc Ore, which was addressed by Sir Apirana Ngata on Sunday. Mr Robertson observed that Wairarapa College offered a wide range of courses, including technical training of various kinds and instruction in agriculture. Mr Robertson said he suppoi’ted heartily the proposal put forward by some of those connected with Wairarapa College that a hostel for Maori youths should be established, with a chaplain of the Anglican Church in charge. This would bring the project into conformity with the conditions of the trusts in regard to religious education. A compromise might be be reached on these lines which would be acceptable to all the parties, and at the same time would be in the best interests of the beneficiaries under the trusts. On the subject of the restoration of Maori meeting houses, including that at Te Ore Ore, Mr Robertson said it was a splendid idea to link up this work with the celebration of the centennial in 1940. Co-operation to that ena was desirable and should be quite feasible. If the matter were taken up by provincial centennial committees, any district funds raised would be subsidised £1 for £3 by the Government. If the cost of material were provided in that way, the Employment Promotion Fund might provide the cost of the labour required.