VIEWED WITH ALARM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 November 1943, Page 2

VIEWED WITH ALARM

LIVING CONDITIONS OF MAORIS POSITION IN NORTHLAND (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WHANGAREI, November 1. That the high incidence of tuberculosis among the Maori race in Northland was largely attributable to the social life of the Natives and their living conditions, was a decision reached at a conference of the northern hospital boards and others held at Kaikohe. “Last year a number of children in our district went very hungry because kumeras brought a good price on the market,” said a teacher. “I had kiddies who collapsed in my rooms through lack of food.” When some delegates appeared surprised at this remark, Dr Smith and Nurse Johnson assured the meeting that the statement was unfortunately true.

The following resolution was adopted: “This meeting views with alarm the present housing, food and general living conditions of the Natives in Northland. It urges that the Native, Health, Public Works, Social Security and Education Departments act together in an effort to improve same. The Public Works Department should erect dwellings suitable for the Natives on the advice of the Health Department and Native school teachers, and similarly the Social Security Department should have power to see that family allowances are spent in an efficient manner. Again, here the Native school teachers could be of assistance.”