WAITANGI TREATY DISCUSSED

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1930, Page 8

WAITANGI TREATY DISCUSSED

-MAORIS AT KATANA

hjoEcM IoN Oil Pivl'iT 1()X r .l U i AiU-UA-UiVN j.

i'Aii-UELteiUN V, April 21. Jhe lieucy oi nmtangi was tiie iih-uMbunjiii£ topic at natana timing i-aaiei', \\ nun uetwcell Zt/OiS anu ikAi. •iiciuiis- 1,0.11 mi pm vs oi Aevv ZealaiK. asscinuieu lu ui.ie parr m a Uiscussio-. as lo whemer mey were justiiieu in uuueamg with a petition to Parliament placing iui ic-iicipreiiition m -no conuicions or me treaty, in view ur liie opinion iielu linn, uau the sigluuunua ul me Maori stele Italy unu<-->-.ituviu Liie tla uses, tuey would lievei ..iiv« s.giieti tne treaty on its lace laiue, emit u gave lo liie Maoris i rec access *io iiver-oetls, iisinng ami loresis “at the pleusutc oi tier Majesty, Queen Victoria.” li is contended to-day oy tiie Maori iu-e, wpicJi since has become more enlightened, that the chiefs of the tvmtangi days never realised how o ietuiy tins proviso might interfere 1 vvi.it me rigiiLS tiiai wore given them.

From time to time since 1840 there wave been various movements in an

e.meavour to get a re-iiueipretation ol : tiie treaty, but these have broken uowu thruugn lack of co-operation. ..alanu, however, by the success Oi liis spiritual niovenient, has overcome many of the tribal ciifi'ereiKes, and has united the Maori race in a way the like of which has never been seen be lore. The result is a New Zealand wide request from tlie Maori race that me pakeha should consent to reopen tne whole question of the treaty. Speaking at Katana on Easter Sunday, the great Maori prophet appealed for a full and free discussion of the whole issue. Me welcomed the leaders of different thought that (were present, including Paraire Tomoana, Oj Hastings, voice of the Anglican Church; Paraire Te Toino, of lvakariki, Maori organiser of the Reform Party; and Tuiti Makitanara, M.P. i'oi tne southern Maori district. He was pleased that these men of knowledge were present, because they could help materially in discussing the advisability of presenting a petition to Parliament. Katana particularly requested it be put before the gathering, so that when the' time came to decide there should be no doubts in the minds 01 the Maori people. He announced the success which had attended ■ the circulation of the petition. Since Christ mas, a grand total of 28,407 Maorb (Katana and non-Ratana) besides a number of Europeans had signed it.

The details are as follows: West Coast —Of 08 covenants sent out 64 had been returned, signed by 8644 members of the Katana movement, 2282 non-Katanas and 69 Europeans, total 10,895.

Northern District—Of 51 covenants -A. had been returned signed by 458-i Katanas, 2291 non-Katanas, and 3-1 Europeans, total 6909. East Coast—Of 08 covenants, 37 had been returned signed by 4449 ltatanas, 1657 non-Katanas and three Pakehas, total 6109.

Southern District (including the Chatham Islands) —Of thirteen covenants 12 had been returned signed by 1325 Katanas, 1048 non-Katanas, and 22 Europeans, total 2394. Grand totals—l9,ool Katanas, 7278 non-Katanas, 128 Europeans. Continuing his address, the Maori prophet stated that he was appealing for unity in this very important matLer, which could only come by unity of the spirit. The Mormons in New Zealand had issued a circular urging the Maoris not to participate in the endeavour to resurrect the treaty, uuuer itaiana. As far as the Mormons were concerned, lie was not worrying very much, hut it would he a gracious a t on their part if they conlined their efforts to their own country where

there were millions they could teach. He would like an opportunity to meet Sir Apirana Ngatn, Minister in Charge oi Native Affairs, so that they could discuss the issue. He had been asked to attend this Mui, but Intel not done so. Was one to infer from that, lie suggested, that the Minister was looking at ma.tters from a parochial aspect, instead of from the point of view of (he good of the Maori ra e as a. whole, ft remained with the gathering to indicate whether they should go ahead or not.

The nexL sneaker was Mr Tuiti Makatanara, who explained what had led

up to the treaty, and pointed out .hat the Pakeha had already settled n New Zealand when the treaty was nade.

Mr Paraire Tomoana, a leading .datin’ layman of the Anglican Church, mid that he objected to the petition iecau.se that it contained as a preamble ui invocation to the Triune God and ministering angels, aad Katana, the mouthpiece of God. Religion and polities in his opinion could not go torether. One should be separate from lie other. He then rend a statement

f o the effect that Sir Apirana Ngata was not opposed to the petition, and here was no harm in signing it. The Hui is still proceeding.

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