Waitangi Day disrupted

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32525, 8 February 1971, Page 1

Waitangi Day disrupted

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 7. Shouting and slow-clapping protesters disrupted the Waitangi Day celebrations at Waitangi last night.

Earlier in the day an unsuccessful attempt was made to burn the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ensign at the Waitangi flagpole.

As the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon), took the speakers rostrum in the pouring rain, about 20 members of the Tamatoa Council, of Auckland, moved forward in a block.

Wearing wreaths and black clothing to symbolise what they felt was the need to mourn, not to celebrate, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, the group initially surged past some naval guards and went out past the enclosed area.

While police and naval guards surrounded the group, preventing them from moving further forward, a young Maori woman ran from the crowd and stood behind Mr Muldoon waving and shouting.

Above the hubbub she could be heard shouting out the words “honour and freedom.” MOVED BACK The other protesters began a slow hand-clap as they found themselves increasingly hemmed in by the police and guards. Something akin to a large scrum developed as the group was moved back to the area roped off for the public. The young woman was led away, but Mr Muldoon had to shout to get across an impromptu Waitangi Day message. As rain swept the area, Mr

Muldoon, who was deputising for the Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake), said that people had the right to dissent. But that dissent had to come within the framework of the law. “Future generations of New Zealanders will come to know and respect the special meaning of the Treaty of Waitangi,” he said.

“We will continue to respect this place as the symbol of our enduring nationhood,” said Mr Muldoon as the protesters began a haka before quietly dispersing at the end of his speech. FLAG INCIDENT The R.N.Z.N. ensign was hauled down from the flagpole by some of the protesters (it was not clear to which organisation they belonged) on Saturday morning. One of the protesters attempted to set fire to it, but only succeeded in scorching a small hole in it before the flag was snatched from him by naval men. It was hoisted again and a guard put on duty at the flagpole. The police made no arrests after either incident BAD WEATHER

An icy wind swept rain in from the bay, sending spectators scurrying under the limited shelter of trees, blankets and umbrellas. Not only Mr Muldoon but the Governor General (Sir Arthur Porritt) and the orator for the Maori people, Dr P. Te H. Jones, of

Taumarunui. weathered the rain for their speeches. The flood-lighting of the Navy ships H.M.N.Z.S. Blackpool, Taranaki, and Inverell provoked a moderately enthusiastic response from a bedraggled and often disgruntled crowd of spectators. Finally the weather had its way, and it was announced over the public-address system that the celebrations could not continue. MAORI ISSUES

Mr Muldoon said he would pass on to the Prime Minister and the Government the issues raised by Dr Jones, president of the New Zealand Maori Council, who asked that the Government should heed requests made eight years ago by Sir Turi Carroll to the Queen. Those, made at a Waitangi Day ceremony, asked that the Government give fuller recognition to the significance and sacredness of February 6.

“Over the years some important grievances have been satisfactorily * settled, but there are still some outstanding cases which various tribal groups consider should be referred to some tribunal for inquiry, after the treaty has been embodied in the statutes,” Dr Jones said. “There is the matter, too, of the revocation of certain provisions in the Rating Act, and also the overhauling of the zoning activities of local

bodies which has become an imposition on Maori rights regarding the best and most profitable use of their remaining ancestral lands.” WAITANGI DAY Christchurch ceremony More than 150 people attended the Christchurch Waitangi Day observance organised by the Canterbury Maori Executive Committee at the Rehua Hostel in Springfield Road on Saturday. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr A. R. Guthrey) city councillors and local members of Parliament joined with the Maori community in expressing the desire for. a united and equal people in New Zealand. The ceremony was attended by the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt Rev. W. A. Pyatt) and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch (the Most Rev. B. P. Ashby). Speakers at the official ceremony, held after a short church service, included the chairman of the South Island Maori Council (Mr J. Karetai) and the director of the Canterbury Museum (Dr R. S. Duff). Entertainment was provided by several Canterbury Maori groups.