WHO WERE THE REBELS?

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3551, 13 August 1920, Page 5

WHO WERE THE REBELS?

PARIHAKA FROM MAORI VIE\V-

POINT‘

WELLINGTON, Aug. 12.

The House dealt quite flippantly with the Bill proposed by Mr R. A. Wright (Wellington South) to great1y extend the issue of the Maori war medal. There were obvious indications of stonewalling, and 'the best COntribu’ri(m came from Dr Pomare, who asked who were the rebels in the Maori war? He reminded the House that the war arose over Europeans laking the Maoris’ land, although they were supposed t.o have their interests protected by treaty. consequently the European; broke the treaty, and Were the real rebels. He would not say European volunteers were not bl‘a.ve, ‘but they had a jolly good time at Par‘ilmka, and were well repaid by the loot they got from the Maoris, including Maori greenstone meres and other family heirlooms.

Mr Parry: They got the land, too.

Dr Pomare: That came .after—the European has a very takifig way with him. (Laughten) ' They arrested Te Wlgiti and Tohu. and kept them in g:i’ol nine months fill a law Was passed which could convict them_ “Yes,” added Dr Pmnare, “they all ought to have :1 medal_._but I would like to write the inscr-iption.” (Laughten) Mr A. Harris, who followed, said ‘he supported the bill, amid a. chorus jof membeyxc, “You deserve a. medal.”

Affor furflwr discussion Mr Wright said he would take fhe opinion of the T~lo_nsr= on Hl9 voices. whereupon pro-gl-ess was reporfed on the bill.

A similar course was adopfed With 1119 War Pnnsions. Amendment Bill in charge of Mr A. Harris. who said the Govm-nmem‘ W 3: <>mbndying his proposal in 0219 of its moasure.=_._