LOYALTY OF NATIVE RACE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23544, 23 January 1942, Page 7

LOYALTY OF NATIVE RACE

STATEMENT RV THE HON. P. K. PAIKEA 1 P.A.) WHANGAIiKI. .January 22. An emphatic denial of .statements made by the chairman of the Whangarei County Council to the effect that many able-bodied natives in the Northland are content to receive sustenance instead of working, was made by the Hon, P. K. Paikea, member of the Executive Council, to-day. "I cannot understand why a responsible person like Mr Maekay should make such statements without being in possession of the facts of the ease.” said Mr Paikea. who added that he had investigated the question. Information supplied by the Social Security Department revealed that in the Northland only five were receiving sustenance, and they wore absolutely until to work. Mr Paikea said. He had just completed an extensive lour of the Northland, and was most impressed with the whole-hearted loyalty of the Maori people. Their energies were directed towards a greater war effort. They realised that the extension of the war to (he Pacific brought the I nttlo front much nearer home, and had reaffirmed their loyalty to the Crown. They were 100 per cent, behind the Government's war effort. He was pleased to notice how the womenfolk were doing their bit on the farms, while their husbands and brothers were serving with the forces in New Zealand and overseas. As the result of an appeal made by him some time ago for more intensive cultivation of land and a greater production of vegetables it was very gratifying to see fine gardens of first-class and valuable vegetables where woods had grown before.