Maoris plan protest

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32524, 6 February 1971, Page 2

Maoris plan protest

(New Zealand Press Association) WHANGAREI, February 5. Preparations were made today for 1500 or more Maoris to gather on the Te Rapunga marae, south of Kawakawa, tonight to discuss protest action at the Waitangi Day ceremony tomorrow.

The. Tamatoa Council in Auckland, which arranged the discussion, said that several btrs loads of supporters would come from Auckland and districts further 1 south for the meeting.

They were expected to be joined by a large number of Northland Maoris.

The president of the Tamatoa Council (Mr P. Eruera) this morning repeated assurances that there would not be violence at the Waitangi ceremony.

r Storm Troopers He agreed the Tamatoa Council was in touch with the South Auckland group Called the Storm Troopers, but the link was more so that guidance could be given to the many Maoris in that group rather than a direct affiliation. “Tamatoa is not militant. We: are traditionalists,” he said. Asked if any of the Storm Troopers were coming, Mr Eruera said: “We are not that elpsely associated, but any Maori who is sympathetic can come up, whether he has bicycle chain or not.”

Some people had said that because there was a suggestion of Storm Troopers the Tamatoa members should not be allowed on the marae. "But I say that every family has a Storm Trooper: suppression only breeds rebels. ‘1 hope they have something to tell us. We might learn from them.”