SPEECH IN MAORI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 95, 23 April 1931, Page 14

SPEECH IN MAORI.

PARLIAMENT INTERESTED. MEMBER'S SIMPLE VIEWS. WHO GOVERNS NEW ZEALAND? ! (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A maiden speech, and one which commanded undivided attention, was delivered in the Maori tongue 111 the House to-night by Mr. Taite Te TOlllO (Reform, Western Maori). The member, who spoke through an interpreter, deserted the paths of political orthodoxyin favour of a simple statement of his views, and his oration, which lasted for ten minutes only, provoked choruses of commendation from the Labour benches. "Glory to God in the Highest and honour to the King," eaid Mr. Te Tomo, in opening. He said that since the session! had opened he had taken what notes he could of what had' been said, in order to ascertain how the country should be governed. He had taken an interest in procedure, but after 1 ■"' ' noticing how the Hon. Mr. Speaker •had chastised several members for being out of order, it made him feel afraid. (Laughter). Mr. Te Tomo then delved into the wheat question, which had been before the House in the afternoon. "I am very pleased that Mr. T. Te Tomo. the price of wheat has gone down, and yet at the same time I regret it has gone down," he declared, amidst laughter. "A good politician," interjected a member. Mr. Te Tomo went on to explain that some Maoris grew wheat, and now they wore bewailing the fact that prices had gone down. "I would be pleased," he added, "that when the price of wheat goes down the price of broad also will be reduced. (Hear, hear.) I know a large number of people in New Zealand arc like me, and have no money at all. Since I have been here I have heard members, mctephorically speaking, throwing stones at each other, and the consequence is that nothing has been done up to the present time." Turning back to the wheat question, Mr. Te Tomo said he wanted people to know that the Maori could grow wheat, and added that he hoped the House would be able to deal with the problems before it, and benefit particularly people like himself, who had no money. (Laughter.) He had noticed his party supporting motions moved by the Government, and that both parties were fighting against Labour, and he found himself at a ions to know what the result would be. As an afterthought, he added: "That is, in regard to wheat growing." After the laughter had subsided, and Mr. Te Tomo had succeeded in removing the smiles from his own face, he unloaded a minor bombshell by calmly announcing, "I read that in 190.5 New Zealand was made a self-governing Dominion, but since I have come to the House I have reached the conclusion that New Zealand is governed by outside countries. (Labour hoar, hears.) "If I were Leader of the House," he added, "I would endeavour to get the co-operation of all members to help me to find wave and means of assisting New Zealand, and particularly those unfortunate women who have no work. (Hoar, hear.) I recognise the United party is in power, and is the Alpha and Omega, but I arti satisfied from the number of protests made in the House that the Government will eoften its heart and amend some of its legislation." Mr. Te Tomo ended with an eloquent sweep of his arm, and the wish, "Kia ora."