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No. 8 (Winter 1954)
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PROGRAMME FOR TEMPERANCE

Government policy on drink was discussed at great length. Generally, the Maori Section was in agreement with existing legislation. Throughout the discussion and in the final resolutions not one person proposed the restoring of the old discriminatory restrictions. There were only two points on which the legislation was challenged. First the section desired to have women (both Maori and pakeha) barred from drinking in hotels. Secondly, objections were made to a provision in the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Amendment Act, 1951, by which tribal committees may give special exemptions from the prohibition of drink on maraes. ‘Every occasion may be made into a special one,’ so ran the complaint.

Members still considered the drink situation serious, and were anxious for strict enforcement of existing laws, particularly by the police.

Newspaper comment on the conference did not show clearly the conference's attitude to the voluntary Maori bodies that have for some years now devoted much energy to fighting drink abuses in their communities. Most of those present knew the work of these tribal bodies intimately, and the debate indicated that their effectiveness varied widely from place to place, as is only to be expected of voluntary local

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initiative. Much time was taken up with discussing the problems of the wardens, who, also voluntarily, face the most painful and delicate situations in their localities when they deal with drunkenness cases. Nobody at the conference expressed any doubt that the local Maori leaders are well able to bear the brunt of this social work; it was however, felt that they needed more support from outside to help change the general attitude towards drink. That support should come, it was suggested, from the churches, from the schools and from all other opinion-forming bodies.

It was resolved to send a message to all tribal executives, embodying the Maori section's views. In this message it was clearly stated that the solution to the problem was not seen in the reimposition of restrictions, but rather in ‘a movement from within the race itself by spiritual uplift and personal discipline’. Tribal executives were urged to enforce the regulations where private homes on the papakainga are being used as a source of supply of liquor while any function is taking place on the marae. The movement in some tribal executive areas to secure voluntary prohibition orders against habitual drunkards was noticed with ‘great pleasure’ and described as ‘a great improvement in the home and family life of those concerned’. All districts were urged to take action in this way. The Maori Section also felt there should be as far as possible a relationship of friendly co-operation between tribal executives and the police.

SOCIETY IS FOUNDED

After all this had been debated at considerable length, it was proposed to set up a Temperance Society through which the three constituent churches will collaborate to grapple with abuse of drink among the Maori people. This Temperance Society is a further development of the Temperance Committee under Rev. Kihoro Te Puawhe, whose report was the basis of the conference's deliberations. Among other projects the society will encourage temperance education in schools. Sunday schools, Bible classes, preaching and radio. Following a motion by the Very Rev. J. G. Laughton, it will also carry out research and investigate the causes of Maori drinking.

There is no doubt that such a society has ample scope. Quite apart from what legislation, social improvements and better leisure occupations can do, there must also be a general change of attitude in the community, and this can come only if the community becomes more deeply aware of the important role of drink in slowing down and preventing progress.

The society faces anything but an easy task. First, it seems difficult and perhaps unwise to embark on temperance education directed only at a part of the population. As speakers at the conference pointed out, the Maori Section is limited in its scope. For instance, a resolution asking the Government to introduce temperance education in schools, mentioned only Maori schools and schools in Maori districts. Conference did not feel qualified to make its request more general. This kind of proposal is open to the objection that at least 80% of New Zealand's probable future heavy drinkers and alcoholics go to schools other than those for which temperance education is being proposed. While the Maori children settle down to their temperance classes, pakeha drivers, without the benefit of such education, may be coming round the corner in their cars and run them over. It is important that the Maori Section's initiative should as much as possible emerge as part of a nation-wide movement.

Furthermore, what should be taught about temperance? Here the Society's reserch activities will be of crucial importance. There are valuable works showing good and tried methods of temperance education which it is most important to follow. The modern approach is summed up in these words of Professor C. H. Patrick: “The main emphasis of instruction on alcohol should be based on life, health and personal and social welfare rather than upon the horrors of disease and death. The average person cannot be frightened into good behaviour or browbeaten into accepting a particular pattern of living.”

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During his visit to Auckland in April, the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Corbett, visited the piece of Crown land at Orakei that has been reserved to the Maoris for a marae. The Minister showed the site to the Mayor of Auckland, Mr J. H. Luxford, who said that he was particularly anxious that the Maoris of Auckland, who came from many different tribes, should have a meeting-place in the open—a model pa where they could hold their welcomes and other functions. Mr N. P. K. Puriri, chairman of the Orakei tribal committee, said that local Maoris had raised about £2,000 towards the proposed marae. They had in mind spending about £10,000.

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The number of Maori students admitted to Teachers' Training Colleges this year is 45—the same number as for the last two years. Three quarters of these students are attending the Auckland and Ardmore Training Colleges