New Maori Minister: Best Possible Choice

Chronicle (Levin), 29 December 1949, Page 5

New Maori Minister: Best Possible Choice

NEW PLYMOUTH, Dec. 26. "I think Mr. E. B. Corbett is the best possible choice as" Minister of Maori Affairs," said the Bev. A. J". Seamer, Hamilton, who was for 20 years general superintendent of the Methodist Maori Mission in New Zealand. - f*Mr. Corbett has the necessary background and the right temperament, and. althougkh he takes office when the Maori political situation is in rather an absurd position through their being persuaded to dabble undulv in party politics, I am sure he will soon have almost universal Maori co-operation, " said Mr. Seamer. "Mr. Corbett, who knows more of Maori psychology and M^iori problems • than anv of his predecessors from the time of Mr. Ooates, knew when they in- | dividually took office, is the man for the hour, and all men of goodwill or all parties should give him a fair chance and not raise unworthily grave doubts," added^ Mr. Seamer. S "Mr. Corbett is a highly respected Christian personalitv among both Maori and pakeha in Taranaki," said Mr. Seamer. ' 1 Like Mr. Coates, he receivea his early education in a semi-Maorl atmosphere and will be as natural in his Maori as in his pakeha associations. H'e will move wisely withont effort in Maori circtfes and he knows enough of preters, whieh I have often wished' his the langnage to keep a eheck on interpredeeessors could do."