IRREPRESSIBLE MAORI MEMBER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3982, 10 August 1929, Page 3

IRREPRESSIBLE MAORI MEMBER.

REBUKED FOR UNWORTHY STATEMENTS. A mild rebuke Avas administered •to Mr. 'T. Makitanara, United member for Southern Maori, AVhen lie was speaking on the Financial Statement in the House of Representatives on Thursday. Mr. Makitanara said -that a lot had been heard about “spoils to the A'ictors,” but lie Avished to point out that nearly every member of the late Mr. Massey’s first Cabinet had had a title conferred upon him. A Member: What was wrong with that? They Avere all good men. Mr. Makitanara: Yes, but some of them were duds. (Loud laughter) . Mr. Speaker: Order! Order. Mr. Makitanara: Now I come to Maui Pomare. A title was conferred upon him, too. I suppose that Avas all right. ('Laughter). A Reform Member: You ought to be proud of him. Mr. Slpealbefi’: What is the point of all this, may I ask? Mr. Makitanara: 'Spoils to the victors. Mr. Speaker: I am afraid the member is hardly in Order in referring to titles granted by His Majesty the King. (Hear, hear). Mi'. Makitanara: I head' “hear, hears —* —- —” Mr. Speaker: Order! Order. Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) said that Mr. Makitanara had criticised men who had done more for the native race than ever Mr. Maki-tanaira Avould do. (Hear, hear). He had criticised Sir William Herries, one of the greatest friends the native race had ever had. Then he had criticised, the member for Western Maori, Sir Maui Pomare, AV'ho Avas at present seriously ill in hospital. A A’oice : Shame! “The statements,” said Mr. Wright, “were most undignified and unworthy of himi and unworthy of the Maori race. I will, leave it at that.” Rising to a point of order, M,r. Makitanara said his remarks should not be construed as a personal attack upon the Reform administrators. “I did not impute anything outrageous against them,” he added.