CENTENNIAL GESTURE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1939, Page 6

CENTENNIAL GESTURE

SUGGESTED BY MAORI MEMBER. ' REDRESS OF OUTSTANDING GRIEVANCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. "There would have been no centennial year and celebrations had not the people of Ngapuhi and other tribes signed the treaty of Waitangi,” said Mr Paikea Government, » Northern Maori), during the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Paikea referred to tl~ early history of the Dominion, and said that while the Maori people appreciated the western culture and social amenities brought by the pakeha there still lingered certain grievances. "I suggest that as a centennial gesture on behalf of the people and the Government due consideration should be given with a view to the adjustment this year of outstanding Maori grievances,” he said. Empnasising the need for careful guidance into the correct vocations of Maori adolescents, Mr Paikea suggested the establishment of a Government organisation to undertake this work. He acknowledged the work of the Government in providing more Native schools and in enlarging and rebuilding others. He mentioned the techni - cal schools . that had been established but said that even though thousands of pounds might be spent on the education of Maoris, there was still the dan ■ ger point at adolescence when lack of encouragement to enter the right field might result in all the money being wasted.