FUTURE OF ORAKEI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 159, 8 July 1935, Page 6

FUTURE OF ORAKEI.

'''Orakei Citizen" writes objecting to the intention of the City Council to assist the Maoris of Oraflcei village in establishing themselves there in their homes under conditions more in accord with the amenities of modern life. In that policy the council has not only the expressed support of the Chamber of Commerce, but of all representative bodies, 6ocial and otherwise, of Greater Auckland. If the Crown, in disposing of sections in the main block, represented that this village would be turned into "a recreation area," then it went too fast, for at that time it had not in point of fact acquired the native title; nor has it since done so, if the Maori claims against the Crown can be verified. Those claims the Crown sidesteps, and disposes of by proclaiming the area Crown land. However that be, the natives are there in possession, but have well-nigh exhausted their resources in their legal contests with the. Crown. They continue their desperate efforts to retain their, hold on this, the remnant of all the tribal territory that is left them of the Tamaki isthmus. Nor are the Maori claims merely litigious, but proceed from i. deep-seated affection for this, their ancestral home. For in village of Orakei is located their "marae" —and that means so much to a Maori community. There also are their dead buried, and there are the abiding associations of past time concerning their families. If, therefore, "Orakei Citizen" feels that he is suffering an injustice, surely he does not suggest that the Orakei Maoris be deprived of their homes in order to right his alleged grievance. Which course of action would be inflicting the graver injustice? That I must leave him to ponder over. Of course one much doubts whether "Orakei Citizen" does voice the opinion of his fellows—certainly not of his Maori neighbours. They are as much qualified to speak as such, as "Orakei Citizen" himself in this matter so vitally affecting their welfare. There is a Maori proverb applicable to Orakei village. The equivalent of it is in the Biblical narrative concerning Naboth's vineyard, to which I would also refer "Orakei Citizen." GEO. GRAHAM.