MAORIS AND OMAPERE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 697, 24 June 1929, Page 11

MAORIS AND OMAPERE

“WOULD GO TO PRIVY COUNCIL” READY FOR APPEAL Now that the Tokerau Native Land Court has decided in favour of the native claimants in the Lake Omapere case, the North Auckland Maoris are prepared to take the question to the Privy Council if an appeal is made by the Crown against the decision. Mr. L. W. Parore, wlio conducted most of the representations on behalf of the natives, is returning to the North this week, and mentioned to The Sun how earnest the Maoris were to have the provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi recognised. “The decision of Judge F. O- V. Acheson in this case upheld wliat the Maoris have been wanting for many years—the principles set down in the treaty,” he said. “The natives throughout New Zealand want to be certain that the treaty is allowed its due importance in land cases. “The Omapere case was actually a test in this respect, and there has been general satisfaction that Waitangi has at last been recognised thoroughly in legal controversy. “Before this there had been no such definite decision with the principles of Waitangi as the basis in Crown v. natives claims. “This side of the question has led the natives to resolve that, as they have Waitangi supporting them, they would be justified in taking the whole case as far as the Privy Council. Returning with Mr. Parore to the North is Mr. Wi Moka, one of the most important claimants in the five subtribes of the Ngapuhi people concerned in the case. Mr. Parore pointed out that in some previous controversial cases the Maoris had been paid compensation instead of having the principles of Waitangi carried through in their favour.