MAORI CONFERENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 38, 16 October 1946, Page 5

MAORI CONFERENCE

GATHERING AT WAIROA EQUALITY ISSUE ' SIR A. T. NGATA’S VIEWS A statement that the Maori people should be acknowledged as equal in every way with the European population of New Zealand, and should be given as of right, the privileges and responsibilities of equal citizenship, was warmly supported by -a conference of Maori delegations held in Wairoa recently to discuss the candidature of Sir Apirana Ngata for the Eastern Maori seat at the forthcoming elections.

Emphasis was placed by the candidate on his view that there should be no wish on the part of the Europeans to absorb the Maori into their society and culture, but that the Maori should run with the Euro- . pean in ..“double harness” each taking an equal share of the burdens and reliefs of that partnership. His view that social security benefits of all kinds should apply to the native race on equal terms as of right, also struck a keenly responsive note, and the conference pledged itself to support the candidate’s view that social security benefits, family allowances, wages and pensions should not be reduced under any foreseeable circumstances.

The conference was held at the Takitimu meetinghouse, and comprised delegations from the Arawa, Whakatane, Tuhoe and Opotiki tribes, and also representatives

irom Hawke’s Bay as far south as Dannevirke, from Gisborne, the area, and from the East , • Coast and Eastern Bay of Plenty. The conference appointed Mr A. T. ■Carroll as its chairman. In all there were about 200 visitors in addition '.to the Wairoa people present.

Maori Ex-Servicemen Meet

Advantage was taken of the presence of Maori ex-servicemen of the two world wars to hold a reunion on the Saturday evening, this being the first function of the kind held in Wairoa since the close of World War 11. Representatives of B, C and D Companies of the 28th Maori Battalion were present. At the main conference the delegates appointed Mr Jack Chadwick, Hastings, and Captain Pine Taiapa, Tiki tiki, as joint secretaries.

The candidate submitted suggestions for a policy for the Maori people emphasising the fact that Maori troops had earned high distinction in their service overseas, and proved their capacity to meet all races and peoples on a level footing.

They did not suddenly learn the art of getting on with other people, he said, nor did they achieve their administrative talents by army training. That talent was inherent in them as the legacy of their race, and the war had only provided the opportunity to develop it. Now that the men were back in civilian life, the country could not afford to let their talent lie fallow. Large Scale Organisation The candidate outlined his views on public service opportunities for Maori youth, health services, land development housing, trade training, rehabilitation guidance and finance, and the settlement of longstanding land .grievances arising from confiscation following the Maori wars. He strongly urged the reorganisation of the Native Department, and considered that this department should give preference to the ployment of Maori ex-servicemen with provision for Maori officers with suitable qualifications attaining the highest appointments in the service.

The proposed policy submitted by Sir Apirana was debated at length by the conference, and was unanimously approved. Personality and Performance During the morning the ex-ser-vicemen present held a separate conference at which all portions of the Eastern Maori district were represented. This meeting passed motions approving the suggestions laid down by the National Party candidate, and supporting to the full his candidature for the Eastern Maori seat.

The ex-soldiers’ meeting also dealt with leases of native land, and asked that Maori returned men should be given priority in appointments to the Native Department’s staff.

The most significant decision of

the meeting was that equal privil/Cges should be granted to Maoris and Europeans in respect of the liquor licensing laws.