MAORI AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 February 1939, Page 9

MAORI AFFAIRS

MEETING OF RONGOKAKO COUNCIL HEALTH AND SANITATION. RENOVATION OF MEETING HOUSES. A meeting of the Rongokako Maori Council was held in the Lecture Room, Municipal Buildings, yesterday. Thercwere present Messrs H. Tatere (Dannevirke). chairman, E. Boyd (Greytown), T. H. Potangaroa, secretary (Te Ore Ore), T. W. Enoka (Pirinoa), P. Baku (Homewood), G. Te Whaiti (Greytown) and H. A. Truman, Inspector of Health. An apology for absence was received from Mr J. I. Thompson, official member. A circular was received from the Taranaki Maori. Council requesting that all Maori Councils throughout New Zealand support the Taranaki Council in its endeavour to obtain financial support from the Government for the efficient carrying out of Maori Council work. It was decided to support Taranaki and suggest that the Government be asked to make an annual grant towards the travelling expenses of the members and that such monies be made available from the Consolidated Fund, i.e., the contributions of Native Land Tax. - District reports on the general health and sanitary conditions of the various areas were made by the members, and general progress was definitely evident. Mr Truman also reported on his activities during the period and expressed the opinion that steady, but definite progress was being made and maintained. The chairman expressed himself as being very pleased with the reports and remarked that there was no doubt but that the value of Maori Council work was being recognised by the Native people. Matters pertaining to Centennial celebrations and memorials were discussed and it was decided that Mr G. Te Whaiti be elected to represent the Maori people of the Wairarapa on the Wairarapa District Zone Committee and that Mr Paku be elected to represent the Rongokako Maori Council on the Zone Committee. A discussion followed on the renovation of Maori Meeting Houses and it was reported that the Government did not regard this work as a local Centennial memorial and it could not therefore be made thesubject of a subsidy from funds set aside for that purpose. This decision was very much regretted by the Council as a whole. It was decided that the renovation work on the two Wairarapa Meeting Houses should be carried out and members agreed to go back to, their districts and put the matter before their people and organise a move with a view to carrying out the work. It was reported that at the last meeting of the Wairarapa District Zone Centennial Committee the following resolution was carried: “That this conference of local bodies in the Wairarapa District commends the renovation of the two principal Maori Meeting Houses in the district to the public for support.” A general discussion on the housing situation in the Wairarapa District followed and it was decided to write to the Minister of Native Affairs pointing out that it was now some considerable time since a number of applications were granted for the building of new houses in various parts of the district, but as yet there was no sign of the houses taking shape. This was a mattei’ affecting the general health and well-being of the race. Already there was overcrowding taking place and with the approach of the winter the situation would not improve and was really quite serious.