TREATY REVIEWED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 696, 22 June 1929, Page 8

TREATY REVIEWED

WAITANGI AGREEMENT

AUCKLAND DISCUSSION The Treaty of Waitangi has been closely under review in Auckland during the past few days. TNTERESTING points were brought out during legal discussion in the Crown v. natives claim regarding Lake Omapere. Following this, the course of lecturettes in Maori history and customs, decided on for this year by Te Akarana Maori Association, was opened with a talk on the treaty by Mr. James Rukutai. Before the association Mr. Rukutai traced the causes leading up to the treaty and told how Captain Hobson, under an instruction from the Marquess of Normanby, drew up the document and obtained the signatures of the Maori chiefs. The treaty was effective today in assuring the Maori protection of his rights to lands and fishing holdings. Satisfaction was expressed by members at the judgment given by Judge F. O. V. Acheson in favour of the Ngapuhi Maoris in the Omapere claim. MrL. W. Parore, who prepared and supervised the case for the natives concerned, was congratulated on the success. The association is opposing gested legislation by the Whangarei County Council restricting Maori franchise rights in local body affairs. The proposal, it is stated, has been made because Maori predominance is feared in certain localities. The secretary to the association, MJP. Smyth, is to write to the councl pointing out that such legislation would violate justice and terms of to® Treaty of Waitangi. It is felt by ts association that Maoris’ voting require extending, rather than restn- * ing.