Maori Deputation Fails To Secure Deferment Of Bill

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31383, 31 May 1967, Page 3

Maori Deputation Fails To Secure Deferment Of Bill

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 30.

A 40-strong deputation from the Maori Council had only partial success this morning in its efforts to obtain a deferment of the Maori Affairs Amendment Bill.

The bill, which is at present before the Maori Affairs Committee of Parliament is designed to check multiplying problems of Maori land ownership, succession, fragmented titles and uneconomic interests.

The Maori Council wants the bill deferred at least until its full implications can be studied.

A Central Taupo representative. Mr P. Hura, said after the meeting that although the deputation had not obtained a deferment of the bill, it had gained an assurance that the Maori people would be given an opportunity to study and give their opinions on if.

“We can appear before the Maori Affairs Committee and state our case and the Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Hanan) has invited us to confer with the Maori Affairs Department on any amendments we might wish to have made.” Maori representatives of the Taranaki, Wanganui, and Central Taupo districts were in the deputation. Several tribal chiefs, the Paramount Chief of the Taupo area. Kepi Te Heuheu, and Sir Turi Carroll were present. Government representatives

included Mr Hanan, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Talboys), the Minister of Health (Mr McKay), the Minister of Lands (Mr Maclntyre) and the chairman of the Maori Affairs Committee (Mr A. McCready). Two Maori members of Parliament, Mr P. T. Watene

(Eastern Maori) and Mr M. Rata( Northern Maori) were also present. Many Maori landowners are believed to be concerned that when the bill becomes law huge blocks of Maori land could pass into European ownership because the Maori owners will not be able to afford to buy Maori land which came on the market.

A second deputation will meet Government representatives on the bill next week. Representatives of the Gis-borne-East Coast land interests and incorporation land blocks will appear before the Maori Affairs Committee to discuss the bill. They will be led by Mr H. Ngata.