INJUSTICE DENIED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20910, 15 September 1939, Page 7

INJUSTICE DENIED

MAORIS AND CENTENNIAL EXPLANATION BY MINISTERLIBERAL ASSISTANCE GIVEN Suggestions for subsidising the work of Maoris engaged In constructing the five Centennial canoes at the Ngaruawahia Pa have been made by the Mayor of Ngaruawahia. Mr R. Eyre, In communications with the Government. Some time ago complalnte at the treatment they were receiving from the Government were made by the natives concerned. They maintained that the wages, out of which they had to pay taxes, were Insufficient to meet their requirements and were not commensurate with the work they were performing. Also, In many cases they ' ere compelled to work 80 hours a week Instead of the statutory 40. in several letters to the Government. Mr Eyre suggested that a subsidy be paid Princess Te Puea Herangi, not necessarily in cash, but by meeting accounts for food and a few articles of clothing. That would amount to only about £5 a week. “For so small an outlay a great quantity of Maori canoes and manufacturers would be supplied,'’ said Mr Eyre In one letter. Mr Eyre proposed that the matter be attended to by the Provincial Centennial Committee, but as that body had allocated only £SO towards Maori celebrations it was hopeless to expect any help from that quartor. Minister's Haply A letter from Mr Evre to the M.P. for Raglan, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, was referred to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry. "The fact should not be overlooked” said Mr Parry in reply, “that the project of the canoes was initiated by Princess Te Puea and not by the Government. To assist her, totara trees to the estimated value of £SOO were given by the State Forest Service and the Department of Internal Affairs made a grant of £IOO towards the general cost of the work. It also found a sum of £l6O to meet the cost of transporting the hulls from the bush at Oruanul to Nganuawahia. To provide a cookhouse at Oruanul, the Native Department spent £4B. and through that Department sustenance payments to canoe-workers up till September 5 amounted to £1331. "When these amounts are totalled It will be seen that the Government has granted assistance to the extent of £2129," continued Mr Parry. “It la expected that a further £l5O will be paid out in sustenanoe before the canoes are completed, thus bringing the Government aaslstanoe up to £2379.” Favourable Oom pari eon In the opinion of the Minister the Government had rendered very practical and liberal help, comparing more than favourably with the £1 for £3 subsidy granted in respect of all European Centennial projects. It was granted not only because it was reoognised that the canoes would provide an attractive feature in the Auckland and Ngaruawahia celebrations, but also because the construction of the canoe# was resuscitating what was becoming a lost art.

"it Is understood,” said Mr Parry, “that the Auckland Provincial Centennial Council Is also granting financial assistance, and that the organisation will meet the cost of transporting the canoes from Ngaruawahia to Auckland."