Maori Parliament House At Rukumoana

Chronicle (Levin), 7 July 1948, Page 2

Maori Parliament House At Rukumoana

While visiting the Rukumoana ,Pa, four miles from Morrinsville on ^Saturday, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, was shown the old meeting hall, which for many years had been iiteraliy the House of Parliament for the Maori race, and standing near by was a life-size statue 'of a former Maori King, Mahuta Tawhiao. On the monument in Maori lettering were the names of the seven' original canoes that ,reache'd New Zealand from Hawaiki 'about 600 years ago, and the'.tribes represented in each canoe. Apparently some of the mana associated • with the monument has -in later years been .transferred to Ngaruawahia, as headquarters of the .Waikato tribe but for many years Rukumoana ..was paramount in importance. It was mentioned on Saturday that the Maoris nowadays only own about 300 acres of the land in the vicinity, and that a claim had been made that as the Rukumoana ,lands had once been confiscated 'but handed back again to the tribe, the descendants of that tribe should not now.be entitled to participation in the £5000 a year granted in 1946 as some' belated compensation for confiscated lands after the Waikato War of 85 years ago. "After following Hansard reports down the years, and having learned what occurred between our people and the various Governments in power, I have found that each Government in turn has tried to do their very best towards the Maori, especially where needs demand urgent help," said Rev. Paora Temuera, in welcoming Mr. Fraser on behalf of the Ng'ati-Raukawas. "I must admit that the present Government has been most liberal; this liberality is clearly shown today by its deep interest in the present and future welfare' of the race, education, economics and social security, having received special consideration. So liberal has the present Government been that it has risked endangering the honour and reputation of the party by being criticised and condemned by those who did not see eye to eye with it." The fact remained that the Maoris were weli provided for today with the best of material requirements, continued Mr. Temuera. "Some people argue that we are a spoilt race, and our morals have become very low, through the presen Government's liheralities., I disagree. There are hosts of other 'modern civilisation' evil agents that have tended to ■ wreck the lives of our people; yes, even of those who have always earned their hard cash by hard work. It-is not reasonable to assume that anybody would do anything, dishonourable simply to take advantage of what a benefactor offers. "Governments down the ages. have each tried to better the other when in power. Listen to what Tamihana TeWaharoa Tarapipipi said in his day, June,- 1861 : 'Listen, the Government is clothed in sheep's wool, but inwardly is a ravenous ,wolf.' We appreciate these opinions because they were expressed in the ago when Te Mana Maori was very deeply rooted in the hearts of every man, woman and child. They were jealous of it, and when disturbed they were ready to sacrifice their life blood to guard the honour and dignity of that Mana. But today, we, their offspring, have a different view, and our idea in endeavouring to guard that Mana by quiet and reasonable argument. We believe and have accepted the Christian way of | life, and are in unity, with full cooperation, with our Pakeha brothers in working out the destiny of our nation and country." With Mr. Fraser at the meeting were Messrs. J. Omana, M.P. for Eastern Maori, and M. Ratana, M.P. for Western Maori, Mr. J. H. Grace, private secretary to the Minister; Mr. G. P. Shepherd, under-Secretary for Maori Affairs; Mr. M. R.. Jones, Maori liaison officer; Mr. R. Royal, , Controiler of Maori Welfare; and Mr. W. Herewini, welfare officer for the district. The visitors were given a traditional weicome by the gathering, which numbered about 400, and included representatives from tribes as far south as Otaki.