MAORI WELFARE

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 13

MAORI WELFARE

PAKEHA-NATIVE FEDERATION NO POLITICAL OBJECTIVE [Pec United Piiess Association'.] ROTORUA, October 2. A sensation was caused at yesterday's session of the ncwly-tormcd Maori and Pakcha Federation at Oliinemutu when one of the delegates, Mr 0. Elliott, of Te Kuiti, produced a circular which he said had been handed to several of the delegates outside the conference hall and which made certain allegations regarding the conduct of the Arawa Trust Board, claiming that the federation was beiuf formed hv certain members ol the board for political purposes. The circular, which was printed in Maori and English, was signed by on© R. Carnahan as chairman of the Arawa Central Committee of tho New Zealand Labour Partv. “ 1 ’say definitely,” said Mr Elliott, “ that this has no business to he in circulation. I am a. member of the Labour Party, and this man has no right to publish a thing like this as chairman of a branch of tho party. Tho allegations in the circular and the claim that the federation had been formed with political objects were entirely incorrect. The delegates had assembled at Rotorua from all parts of New Zealand with only one object—the uplift of the Maori people—and they had no political objectives whatever Air K. Elian (Rotorua) expressed dee]) regret that political differences of opinion among the Rotorua Maoris, which had been responsible for the circular, had been used to cast doubt upon the purpose of tho federation. He had no doubt that the object of the circular was to discredit the present leader of the Maori race, Sir Apirana Ngata, and tho present chairman of tlio Arawa Trust Board, Mr Tai Mitchell. , He described the circular ns “ hitting under the holt.” Air AI. R. Jones (Hawera) said that there was no foundation for tho suggestion that tlie idea of forming the federation had from Rotorua. On the contrary, it had come from Air D. Tatere, of Dannevirke. Ho was sure that he expressed the opinion of all present < when he expressed his confidence that the motives of any members of the Arawa tribe associated with the formation of tho federation were beyond reproach. On the motion of Air Elliott the conference unanimously expressed its strongest disapproval of the circular and demanded its withdrawal by those responsible. The constitution of the newly-formed federation was discussed and approved. The objects of the federation are to promote Maori social and economic well-being by every possible means, and it was stipulated that it was to be a strictly non-political and non-sectarian body.

It was decided that the headquarters of the body for the first year should be in Rotorua, the headquarters thereafter to be decided at the annual meetings. The first officers of the federation will bo as follow;—President, Mr Hemana Pokiba (Rotorua); secretary, Major R. Dansey (Rotorua); treasurer, Mr D. Tatcre (Dannevirke); auditor, Mr M. R. Jones (Hawera) ; publicity officer, Mr W. E. Bullivant (Gisborne); Executive Committee— Mr Turi Carroll (Wairoa), the Rev. Mr Laughton (Taupo), Messrs T. ilotet (To Kuiti), J. Asher (Tokaauu), G. Elliott (To Kuiti), E. Edwards (Taranaki). T. Bennett (Wanganui), W. Bird' (Murupara). The conference discussed the question of the Maori council system and decided to recommend to tho Government that it be retained, but that tho power's and authority of members of the council be widened. The opinion was expressed that, owing to the fact that tho councils had no way of enforcing their authority or collecting finance, their prestige and mana had suffered. Concern regarding the extent to which liquor was undermining the morals and health of the Maori race was expressed by a number of delegates, and the matter was referred to a special sub-committee to draft an appropriate resolution for submission to the Government. Mr Turi Carroll (Wairoa) expressed tho opinion that differentiation against tho Maoris under the licensing laws was making them “ back-door drinkers.” Chinamen and negroes could obtain liquor in New Zealand, whereas tho Maori was denied. Archdeacon R. Hodgson (Rotorua) said that steps should be taken to prevent the sale of -the second-grade liquor which was dispensed in so many New Zealand hotels. Tho true remedy was not prohibition hut self-control. He considered that something should bo done to counteract the activities of large hotel combines, and that tho Maori should be protected against bad liquor.