MAKING HIS PEACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1932, Page 5

MAKING HIS PEACE.

MEMBER AND MINISTER. MR. TE TOMCS- CONFESSION. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The confession that he had previously bee» antagonistic to Native Ministers, but that he wished to make his peace with the present occupier of the portfolio, was made by Mr. Taite Te Tomo (Government, Western Maori) in the House yesterday. Mr. Te Tomo said he had investigated rumours concerning extravagance by Sir Apirana Ngata, and had been nnable to find any complaint among the Maori people. He had advised his people to abandon the Batana scheme and to adhere to the schemes controlled by the Native Minister.

"I rejoice to make this statement, and it is true, that I have been hostile to the Native Minister," said the member. "I was under the impression that my hostile attitude was a just one. As I was very keen that he should be defeated I undertook to work against him, but when the people of his electorate found that I was wrong they reelected him. (Laughter.) I went to speak to him regarding the Treaty of Waitangi, but when I made representations he did not reply, 'and it made me more angry. The people would not follow me; they are still very pleased with him." Mr. Te Tomo related how the Minister had told him a story about a dog barking at the moon, and had said that Mr. Te Tomo was just like a dog barking at the Native Miniate*. H