MAORI MEMBER’S COMPLAINT

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22823, 23 September 1939, Page 8

MAORI MEMBER’S COMPLAINT

MONEY FOR NATIVE PURPOSES “ELEMENT OF PATRONAGE AMONG PAKEHAS” REFERENCES TO RACIAL PRIDE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.! WELLINGTON. September 22, An allegation that waste was taking place in the administration of native affairs, and that an element of patronage was associated with expenditure on behalf of the Maori people was made by Sir Apirana Ngata (Opposition, Eastern Maori) during consideration of the Native Purposes BUUin the House of Representatives to-day, The Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser) and the Minister for Native Affairs (the Hon. F. Langstone) both said that any specific cases submitted by Sir Apirana Ngata would bo immediately investigated, During the committee stages of the bill. Mr Fraser said that he had been rather surprised to hear Sir Apirana Ngata indicate on the second reading that he knew where waste was going bn in the Native Department's administration, but that' as it was pakeha money it did not matter, and that'be would not draw attention to it. ‘‘lt is the duty of everyone to point but waste if he sees it. so that it can be stopped,” said Mr Fraser. "Possibly the member for Eastern Maori did not mean'fully what he said.” Sir Apirana Ngata said he would net take back anything he had said. He would certainly go into specific cases with the Native Minister, however, and if necessary deal also with the position of Maoris in the public service. Mr Fraser: Wo want that. “Pakeha Takca Credit” “What else can It be but pakeha money when the pakeha takes credit for all expenditure on the Maoris?” asked Sir Apirana. "Obviously the impression is that the Government and the pakehas are providing this money far and away beyond the deserts of the Maori people, “If we are getting only a fair proportion that is all right, but there Is the assumption that when we get employment funds and other moneys someone is. taking all the credit, and that we are taking money that we are not entitled to except as a gesture or a gratuity,* Certainly there is an element of patronage in it. There is a thing called racial pride. That wo have tp bottle up when we hear the chorus that accompanies this sort of thing, and a high-spirited race will not stand for It." Mr Fraser said ho was quite sure that Mr Langstone would thoroughly investigate all matters brought to his notice. Any facts or figures submitted by "Sir Apirana Ngata would be looked Into. In view of his statements, It would be expected that he would submit that evidence, "Equal Citizens" “I do not know of anything approaching sklte in regard to anything that has been done for the Maori people,” Mr Fraser said. "If any person has been indulging in anything that can be described by that term it is very regrettable. • I would resent any suggestion of patronage in such matters. That is the outlook of the Government. After all, wo are equal citizens of the Dominion, and no person can say anything about a difference • in intelligence and capacity of the two races. ■ "Nothing in the nature of patronage will enter into anything done for the Maori people by the Government, and I hope the conception the member for Eastern Maori has of things will vanish.” Sir Apirana Ngata: Circulate through the department what you are saying Mr Fraser:' I would be delighted to do it, and that is the whole policy animating the Government in these mattiers. Anything else is contrary to the spirit of the Government, the House and the whole of the people.