New Minister for Maori Affairs, Pita Sharples, has just opened a Maori economic summit in Wellington. In his opening address he makes this statement:
This parliamentary term will be defined by how we negotiate the swirling economic waters ahead. We have faced these perils before, and for Mâori, the experience was disastrous. In the period known as te Pâheketanga Ohaoha, the days of the Great Depression, 75% of all Mâori men were unemployed by 1933. More recently the recession of 1987-1992 resulted in a shocking deterioration in outcomes for Mâori.
To the best of my knowledge Maori unemployment was never anywhere near that high. One would expect the Official New Zealand Yearbook to be a reliable source. Here is a passage from the 1995 version, page 34:
By 1933, 40 percent of the male Maori workforce was unemployed, compared with the Pakeha rate of 12 percent.
In 1933 most Maori lived rurally and were still making a living off the land and sea. Even if they were not being fully or partially recompensed for their work or produce they would still have been endeavouring to trade or feed themselves and their families. All I can assume is that Sharples is making a reference to Maori living in towns and cities who were unable to find jobs. But even then I don't know what the source for this claim is. I will write and ask him.
(Similarly there is controversy over whether or not Maori drew the 'dole'. Tipene O’Regan and Api Mahuika say Maori were denied yet there is evidence referred to by historian Michael King that Maori were paid the dole - unemployment benefits or relief work compensation - during the depression, but it was paid at a lower rate and more difficult to obtain. This is because policy-makers believed Maori were better equipped to make a living off the land.)
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4 comments:
Hi Lindsay,
I read a historical account of the depression in NZ from my library. The author stated that Maori were paid the dole at 50% that of white men. I will try and find the reference and get back to you. I too would be very interested to hear the good Doctor's source.
At least one relief scheme paid a single Maori man nine shillings and sixpence per week whereas his Pakeha counterpart was paid between 12 and 17 shillings and sixpence depending on whether he lived rurally or in a main centre. There was no legislated unemployment benefit as such before 1936. Just public work schemes and charitable aid.
Sharples may be just getting his stats mangled. 40+12=52. 75% of 52 is about 40.
It happens to the best of us!
Hi Lindsay,
I found the book. 'The Slump' written by Tony Simpson. Quoting from page 64, '...In mid 1931 ... payment which ranged from seven shillings and sixpence to five shillings a day for Pakeha men, and three shillings and ninepence a day for Maori men. This latter discrimination was based on the presumption that Maori people could draw upon traditional food sources and therefore did not need so much money. Women still got nothing. What they were to do in this circumstance was never explained; ...'
I don't know his source. Note the amount of benefit paid to women!
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