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No. 8 (Winter 1954)
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KEEP THEM
AT SCHOOL

Last March the Department of Maori Affairs started its “Keep them at School” campaign in Maori communities. All Tribal Committees and Executives were told, through the Welfare Officers, that the Government would in future subsidize moneys for educational purposes. Students' clothes, books and equipment, travelling expenses and part of the school board charges have all become eligible for subsidies under the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act.

Previously the government had encouraged scholarship funds only on a national basis, such as the Ngarimu Scholarship which may be held by any Maori in the country. This ensured that the money went to the ablest, wherever they might live.

The Maoris are, however, in rather special circumstances. As matters stand, every Maori boy or girl who reaches school certificate standard represents an important gain in the struggle for progress. Better education means better jobs, better homes and often also better lives. Now there is no doubt that lack of money often abruptly ends the education of a very promising boy or girl. It may be fees, or books, or clothing that have to be bought at a moment when the money is just not available. What then?

Maori leaders have long felt that the only answer to that question lies in local help given by the tribal organizations. It had often been said that if tribal organizations had the means to help children and parents over such difficult moments, far more Maori students would get a good secondary and even a university education. For this reason the Government was asked to subsidize moneys raised by tribal committees and executives for educational purposes.

This was not an easy decision to make. Where public money is spent, there should be safeguards against abuse—not only by strong, monied groups but also by individual families on behalf of their own children. The Government nevertheless decided to give the scheme a chance. The first year's programme is a cautious one, the amount of subsidy allocated to this scheme being limited to £2,000. If the scheme proves a practical one, this amount may be increased later. The £2,000 is to be

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allocated to Maori Land Court Districts on a population basis.

To the committees and executives this is an important new responsibility. It is now for them to see that as many children as possible stay at school. All their influence must be exerted to see that boys and girls do not leave school until their education is properly finished. That is the most important thing. But there is also the practical side to attend to: the department has stipulated that all money raised by the local organizations for this scheme must come from voluntary and combined efforts of the people themselves. Money-raising functions have to be held. Once the funds are collected all the wisdom and experience of local leaders will be needed to distribute the grants to the most deserving cases and in prudent amounts.

A Fruitful Meeting:

Naturally, the new scheme has become a big subject at recent tribal committee meetings. Te Ao Hou was fortunate enough to attend a meeting of the Aorangi Tribal Committee on March 30, where this new subsidy was being discussed. The chairman was Mr Mason Durie, a member of the Board of Maori Affairs.

The meeting was held at Mr Mason Durie's home, where it might have lacked the sacredness attached to a marae but perhaps the warmth of an excellent log-fire helped to make up for this.

The Welfare Officer, Mr Jacobs, read out the departmental circular. The first comment by the meeting was that the committee would have to be sure all cases came to its notice. This is not always easy; a committee cannot be in touch with all the parents. The parents, however, should consult the committee whenever hardship seriously threatens the educational future of a child. Everything should be done to make the parents aware of this fact, and Te Ao Hou was asked by the committee to help spread the news. The committee should also be in touch with the headmaster of the school who might have information on needy cases.

The committee expressed the opinion that it would not be prudent to wait for cases to arise and then collect the money. When a case arises it is always urgent. It is then that funds should be at hand to relieve the emergency. The best policy is to create a fund now, and keep it intact for when the need arises. Then application for subsidy can be made.

The wisdom of general rules about the amount to be granted was another important point that arose at this meeting. The department does not define the amount of assistance

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