SENSATION AT CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21904, 3 October 1936, Page 16

SENSATION AT CONFERENCE

Maori and Pakeha Federation

ALLEGATIONS ABOUT TRUST BOARD

(raJSSB ASSOCIATION TELEOftAM.) ROTORUA, October S,

A sensation was caused at yesterday’s session of the newly-formed Madri and Pakeha Federation at Obinemutu, when one of the delegates, Mr G. Elliott, of Te Kuiti, produced a circular which he said had been handed to several of the delegates outside the conference hall, and which made certain allegations about the conduct of. the Arawa Trust Hoard, claiming that the federation was being formed by certain members of the board for political purposes. The circular, which was printed in Maori and English, was signed by one R. Carnachan, as chairman W? Arawa central committee of the New Zealand Labour party, “I say definitely, said Mr Elliott, “that the person who put his name to this, and the printer who published it, are liable to prosecution. It is a ue, and it has no business to be in circulation. I am a , member of tne Labour party,, and this man has no right to publish a thing Uke this as chairman of a branch of.the party. It Is prostitution of the position he holds. Mr Elliott said the allegations In the circular were false, and that the claim that the federation had been formed with political objects was entirely untrue. Delegates had assembled at Rotorua from all parts of New Zealand with only one objoct—the uplm of the Maori people—and they had no political objectives whatever. Deep Regret Expressed 1 Mr K. Ehau (Rotorua) expressed his deep sense of regret that Political differences of opinion among the Rotorua Maoris, which had been responsible for the circular, had been used to cast doubt upon the purpose of the federation. He had no doubt that the object Of the circular’was to discredit 'the present leader of the Mcori r3ce > , 11 Apirana Ngata, and the present chairman of the Arawa Trust Hoard, Mr Tai Mitchell. He described the circular as “a vile and under-the-belt hit. Mr M. R. Jones (Hawera) said that there was no foundation for the suggestion that the idea of forming the federation had emanated from Rotorua. On the contrary, it had come from Mr D. Tatere, of Dannevirke. - He was sure that he expressed the opinion of all present when he expressed his confidence that the motives of any members of the Arawa tribe associated with the formation of the federation were beyond reproach, ■ On the motion of Mr Elliott, the, conference unanimously expressed its strongest disapproval of the circular, and demanded its withdrawal by those responsible.

CONSTITUTION APPROVED

PROMOTION OF MAORI WELL-BEING

CONCERN ABOUT EFFECT .OF LIQUOR ON RAGE (BRASS ASSOCIATION FELEQIiAM.) ROTORUA. October 2. At the conference representative of Maori organisations in all parts of New Zealand, and including representatives of the newly-formed Maori and Pakeha Federation, the constitution of the federation was discussed and approved. The objects of the federation are to promote Maori social and economic well-being by every possible means, and it was stipulated that it was W be, a Strictly non-political and non-sectarian body. It was decided that the headquarters of the body for the first year should be in Rotorua, the headquarters thereafter to be decided at the annual meetjugs. , The first officers of the federation will be:—President, Mr Hemana Pokiha (Rotorua); secretary. Major R.Dansey (Rotorua); treasurer, Mr D. Tatere (Dannevirke); auditor, Mr M. R. Jones (Hawera); publicity officer, Mr W. E. Bullivant (Gisborne); executive committee Mr Turi Carroll (Wairoa), the Rev. Mr Laughton (Taupo), Mr T. Hetete (Te Kulti), Mr J. Asher (Tokaanu), Mr G Elliott (Te Kuiti), Mr E. Edwards (Taranaki), Mr T. Bennett (Wanganui), Mr W. Bird (Murupara). The conference discussed toe Maori council system, and decided to recommend to the Government that it be retained, but that the powers and authority of members of the council be widened. The opinion was expressed that because the councils had nq way of enforcing their authority or collecting finance, prestige and mana had suffered.

Concern about the extent to which liquor was undermining the morals and health of the Maori race was ex. pressed by a number of delegates during a 'long discussion, and the matter >yas referred to a special subcommittee to draft an appropriate resolution for submission to the Gov. ernm&nt. “Back-Door Drinkers”

Mr Turi Carroll (Gisborne) said that differentiation against the Maoris under the licensing laws was making them “back-door” drinkers. Chinese and negroes could obtain liquor in New Zealalid, where the Maori was denied it. Archdeacon R. Hodgson (Rotorua) said that strong steps should be taken to prevent the . sale of the secondgrade liquor which was dispensed in so many New Zealand hotels. The true remedy was not prohibition, but self-control. He considered that something should be done to counteract the activities of the large hotel combines, and that the Maori should be pro. tected against bad liquor. Native Nursing Division The conference discussed Maori health, and decided to recommend to the Government that the strength of the Native Nursing Division be increased so as to make it possible for native nurses to give attention to a larger number. It was algo decided to ask the Government to restore the Native Hygiene Department, the opinion being expressed that the action of the previous Government in abolishing this department was a backward step.

It was decided to congratulate the Government on Its decision to establish a national health insurance Scheme.