SIR MAUI POMARE DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1011, 30 June 1930, Page 8

SIR MAUI POMARE DEAD

PASSING OF A NOTABLE LEGISLATOR FAR FROM NATIVE LAND A notable Maori legislator ana spokesman of the native race ha* passed, with the death, in California of Sir Maui Pomare, K.8.K., c.M.G More thau a year before he went to California, some months ago to undergo medical treatment and avoid the rigours of the New Zealand winter, Sir Maui was » onfined to hu home with a serious illness. Private advice of his death was received in Wellington on Saturdi v. A Taranaki-bred boy. Sir Maul Pomare. who was a son of Wiremu Naera Pomare. chief of the Xgathnv-* was born at Pahou on January 13’ ISitJ. He was educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School and at Te Aute College. He continued his medical studies until he secured his medical degree in Chicago in 1899. Two years later the New Zealand Government appointed him health officer to the Maoris. He entered politics in 1:»12, wftea he was returned as Reform member for tlie W estem Maori district, and that year the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey included him in his first Mini is try, as representative of the Maori race—a position which he held until the Reform Government went out of office at the 1928 election. His record of lt> years’ continuous service as a Minister of the Crown is one of the longest in the history of the New Zealand Parliament. IN CHARGE OF ISLANDS Sir Maui was Minister in Charge o' Cook and other Islands between 1916 and 1925, and from 1923 to the early part of 192 Ghe was Minister of Health, under both the Massey and Coates Governments. Sir Maui ateo held the portfolio of Internal Affairs under the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. The valuable work of the then Dr. Pomare was fittingly recognised in June, 1922, when he was knighted, the honour being bestowed as an acknow-

lodgement of the loyalty which the Maoris showed during the Great War, and of his work as health officer and Minister in bringing the 1 Maoris to observe the laws of nealth. A big part was played by Sir Maui Pomare, in coujunction with other Maori members of Parliament, in organising the Maori Pioneer Battalion, which served with distinction on Gallipoli and later in France. The response to the call for recruits was largely inspired by the Maori leaders, with the result that between 4.000 and 5.000 Maoris and 500 Cook Islanders went to the front. BENEFIT TO MAORIS During his long service as health officer to the Maoris Sir Maui introduced many principles of health, the benefits of which are now becoming apparent. His work was largely responsible for counteracting the danger of extinction to which the native race was exposed through contact with the Pakeha and through their attempting to adopt the latter’s mode of living. Many of the reforms were strongly opposed by the Maoris, who considered they struck at the root of native customs. The limitation of the tangi to three days, for example, was not welcomed, nor was the forcible legislative suppression of the tohunga. 'lO help Maori women in sickness and maternity, suitable native girls were chosen, trained as nurses and sent to work in the villages and scattered districts. Their work has been \)f the utmost value. These reforms were first introduced by Sir Maui as health officer and carried on under his Ministerial oversight by Dr. P. Buck (Te Rangihiroa). The result of their joint efforts is that the Maori population, which had previously been practically stationary, or declining, has recently shown a marked increase. Sir Maui Pomare is survived by Lady Pomare, two sons and one daughter. REFORM LEADER’S IRIBUTE “A GREAT TREE FALLEN” From Our Resident Reporter WELLINGTON, Today. “it can now be said that one oi the greatest totaras on one of our highest mountains has fallen, and it behoves every young Maori and Pakeha to endeavour to live up to the example of that great tree. His memory stands out as an example to us all.” This tribute to the memory of Sir Maui Pomare was paid by the Right Hon. J. G. Coates yesterday. “Sir Maui Pomare,” he said, "has been associated with the Reform Party since 1912, and he took an active part in the party’s work and also acted as an administrator until two years ago. Not many men could claim the success he achieved as an administrator. It can be said that the officers of his deportment always spoke in the highest terms of their chief. "H.is work among the Maori people ; was outstanding. He possessed tlw; gift of knowing what was in the mind of the -Maori, and this was apparent i in the way in which he handled the Xgaitahu claims in the South Island, i and claims for confiscated native land in the North Island, both of which have been dealt with by commission* i which have made recommendations* ! The interest which Sir Maui P-.mare - oral welfare of the Maori people must I clearly indicate that lie never forg®* 1 and always worked for his own peonl I think it can be said that he had ! added to the understanding. ’ rogne*# i and development of both races will* outstanding ability.”