MAORIS ASK FOR PROTECTION OF PA LANDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 20, 12 April 1950, Page 5

MAORIS ASK FOR PROTECTION OF PA LANDS

A request that Maoris in the Pa area should be given some undertaking that there land would never be taken from them under the Public Works Act was made by the Wairaka Tribal Committee to the under-secretary of Maori Affairs, Mr T. T. Ropiha, when he visited Whakatane last week. While he could give no such undertaking Mr Ropiha remarked that it would be very difficult for anyone to try to take the land.

Acting as spokesman for the committee Mr A. O. Stewart said that with the possibility of a deep sea harbour being established at Whakatane it was possible that some of the Maori owned land near the Heads might be taken in with such development. The committee felt some concern over the future of the land on which their homes were situated and wanted some protection.

He mentioned a case where the Whakatane Harbour Board intended to take a Maori owned section near the Heads for a quarry under the Public Works Act. The Maori owners wanted to build a home there but the Board was still insistent in carrying out its plan.

Replying to Mr Stewart the un-der-secretary said that it was hard for any undertaking to be given, iand was taken under the Public Works Act only when it was felt that such action was for the good of the greatest number of people. It was known that some people were often hurt but the majority had to be considered.

However, he thought the Maori jpeople would not have to worry about land being taken from them in the Pa area. Referring to the Whakatane Harbour Board’s intention he said that this matter was still under consideration. Permission had not been given to take the land yet.