PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21315, 7 November 1934, Page 12

PARLIAMENT

♦ REPORT ON NATIVE AFFAIRS ISTO CONFIDENCE ISSUE RAISED MAORI MEMBERS DEFEND MINISTER {From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, November 6. Arguing that the Cabinet should accept collective responsibility for the situation in the Native Department revealed by the report of the Royal Commission, the leader of the Opposition (Mr M. J. Savage) made strong charges against the Government in the House of Representatives to-day, when he proposed a motion which was immediately accepted by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) as raising a no-confidence issue. It was agreed that the commission's report should be discussed in conjunction with Mr Savage's motion. Mr Savage described the report as "the most damning indictment ever laid against any Government since self-government was established in New Zealand," a theme and phrase which supplied the basis of more than one of his colleagues' speeches. He deplored the apparent lack of co-ordination between the State departments, and inferred that the Government should have resigned. Mr Savage was followed by Mr Tau Henare (C., Northern Maori) who, speaking through an interpreter, denied the correctness of the commission's deductions. He pointed out that the Maori race was not represented on the commission, and he claimed that the Maoris had received little remuneration for confiscated land. Another Maori member, Mr Taite Te Tomo (C., Western Maori) spoke later in the debate. He told the House of his former opposition to Sir Apirana Ngata, and of his subsequent conclusion that Sir Apirana was anxious to do his best for his people. The commission had neglected to mention that the Western Maori electorate had received benefits from his administration. If it were possible he would like to see Sir Apirana restored to office; but he recognised the influences at work which would prevent that. Mr Te Tomo's speech was delivered in a most picturesque manner. ______________