QUESTION IN HOUSE ON TUWHARETOA INCOME

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 62, 10 August 1965, Page 3

QUESTION IN HOUSE ON TUWHARETOA INCOME

During the debate on the estimates of the Maori Affairs Department in the House of Representativejs last week, Mrs Rona Stevenson, M.P. for Taupo, asked why the annual payment of £3000 to the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board was so much less than the amounts being paid to other trupt laoards. She also stated that a group of Maori wardens were doing valuable work in Taupo in helping to keep law and order, especially among young Maoris. She pointed out that this is voluntary work and that the wardens gave their time freely. They had formed an association and, by various means were endeavouring to raise money to cover expenses incurred. "They feel they have reached the end of the road in this respect," said Mrs Stevenson, who asked the Minister if they could get some financial help to assist them to carry on. Mr Hanan replied that the reason for the lower amount of annual grant was clear — in fact, the Tuwharetoa Trust Board would get more than other boards be-

cause of the flexibility in the amount they receive from fishing licences. The amount of £3000 was fixed by negotiation with Government plus 50 per cent. over and above a certain figure in licences, which gave a total, with the grant, in the vicinity of £10,000. The warden's association was advised to make application to head offiee through its district council. "It is very likely they will get some financial assistance," he said.