MANOEUVRES OF MAORI POLITICAL “MOSES.”

Grey River Argus, 1 April 1948, Page 5

MANOEUVRES OF MAORI POLITICAL “MOSES.”

WELLINGTON, March 31. A statement similar to that which he made in Wellington was made bv Mr O. T. Haddon in Wanganui early this month. The national secretary of the Labour Party (Mr A. J. McDonald) said to-night that he had replied to Mr Haddon on March 12 and there was nothing much more he could say now. At that time Mr Haddon claimed that he had already toured the Northern and Eastern Maori electorates and hoped to go south in the near future.

Mr McDonald said on March 12 “Eitheii Mr Haddon has attempted to execute a rather awkward political somersault since the beginning of the year and has landed the wrong way up, or else he is speaking with his tongue in his cheek and indulging in the old game of political kite-flying. “Until a week or two two Mr Haddon was employed in a very essential industry, but, I understand he has obtained temporary leave of absence. “It now appears as though practically overnight, Mr Haddon has become the Moses of the Maori people and-has set forth on his self-appoint-ed mission. The Maori people did not need to be led from the wilderness. On whose behalf is this sudden Mozaic activity being undertaken? Is it for some new and yet unknown organisation, or is it to further the ambitious desires of some individual who is seeking Parliamentary honours?

“The only statements issued to the Maori people in support of the Government’s last General Election policy were contained in a pamphlet issued by the head office of the party. Prominent among those was the one signed by Mr Hadden strongly advocating the very policy which he now accuses the Government of having sold to the Maori. The four present Maori Members of Parliament have the complete confidence and goodwill of all members of the Labour Movement.”

Mi- Hadden has been working on the waterfront for some time.