POLITICS AND GRIEVANCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 100, 25 September 1950, Page 4

POLITICS AND GRIEVANCES

Politics' and Maori grievances were not entirely absent from Saturday’s speeches. One Maori speaker in particular laid rather undue emphasis on the sins of the past, and urged the alleviation of the Maori rates. His covering Rumour however relieved the tension on most points but he was answered in no uncertain manner by the Minister of Maorif Affairs, Mr Corbett.

Mr Corbett said emphatically that it was Maori and Pakeha to move along as friends, not as enemies. Whilst he was interested in the arrival of the Maori ancestors, he was also proud of the fact that his own family had arrived in New Zealand 135 years ago and, in a humble way he was alsd proud of the intense progress which had taken place since the Pakeha advent. i‘ .*•

He was glad to hear the warmth of the Maori tributes' to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Fraser. He fully concurred with every effort which he had made in the interests of the Maori people. He trusted that the same spirit of goodwill would assist him to achieve his goal in the days that lay ahead. He certainly hjad a policy and an objec tive which he hoped to attain. Maori and Pakeha had come a long way together. The old seafarers in their dug-out canoes had braved storm and calm but had at last made landfall'] The Maori of today had likewise made his landfall. He had reached the shore and was equal with his Pakeha brother. It was time to not only look backwards but forwards as well.

“I am going to say right now,” said the Minister, “that we have together passed through our main obstacles, and now it only requires the exercise of that harmony which should exist between us.”

The Maori Mother “Remember a little of the responsibilities of the Maori mother,” said Mr Corbett. “Do not forget that it ‘was always the women who steadied the canoe; that it was Wairaka who brought it safely to shore again when it might have been lost. It is the Maori mother who can steady the race and strength its high purpose. She it will be who by ‘her influence upon your children will bring the canoe of your race to its calm and peaceful haven.” In the course of education, the Maori had an equal opportunity with the Pakeha. He was looking forward to new intellectuals arising from the race such as Sir Apirana Ngata, Sir Peter Buck, and Bishop Bennett. The work of the Minister of Maori Affairs ordained that he should assist in shaping the course of the Maori Canoe, and this He would endeavour to do irrespective of the destructive critics of both races. He hoped not to deviate from the set course but to attain the objective. The memorial at the Pa gates symbolised the sacrifices of both races. The memory of the young fighting men who died to enable us to mould our own. destiny. He hoped that we would therefore set a pattern of amity and peace- 1 which would be an example to the world.