Maori to be an official language of N.Z.

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33577, 4 July 1974, Page 9

Maori to be an official language of N.Z.

'.Vctc Zealand Press .Association)

AUCKLAND. |1 Legislation is beingi prepared to establish Maori as an official language of New Zealand. according to the: Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Rata). Mr Rata was addressing a session of the Race Relations Council conference. i While English would* remain the principle lan- ■ guage. Mr Rata said, he intended that there be two official languages. “Maori shall be given statutory recognition and genuine efforts made to per-: petuate it.” Other moves being planned by Government were out-1 lined by the Minister. It was intended, he said;, to increase Maori representation to Parliament.'“l have not said by how many seats.” j This would involve re-' organisation of all present I

Maori electorates, and would j ;depend on the number of| Maori families choosing to vote on Maori rolls. Local and central government would be required to serve notice on Maori land--1 owners through the registrar of the Maori Land Court of intended land seizures under the Ministry of Works Act. - “Because Maori land was involved, local bodies and (Government have had an .attitude that is not acceptable to the individual owners,” said Mr Rata. ‘‘.ft is not uncommon to hear of land being taken for highways arid other purposes with no settlement being imade after 15 years or (more,” said Mr Rata. SITE PROTECTION Protection would be given sites that were of emotional value to the Maori people. “This will be an addition to existing protection for sites of special historic or scenic jvalue.” Protection for Maori arte-

(facts and antiquities would be provided. “The only time they should leave the country should be for exhibitions and displays related to the cultural life of this country'. They should then be ’returned.

“This would lead to a decrease in prices paid for some of these items. We watch the sales and have often had someone secure them back for return to the rightful owners,” said Mr (Rata. “They belong to the total heritage Of New Zealand and should be protected.” JOB OPENINGS

Educational and job opportunities must be created for Maori school-leavers, he said. “About 48 per cent of all students sitting exams do not pass, but as many do not even sit,” he said. “Most training courses require some previous qualifications —there is nothing for those who have none. “The number of Maori school-leavers is increasing by 1000 a year. It is time to consider new forms of opportunities and perhaps the extension of the New Zealand Race Relations Act along the lines of equal opportunity legislation in the United States.” Referring to alternative schools for Maori drop-outs,

Mr Rata said: “I think we need a programme that doesn’t look too much like an academic situation.” ‘ >• The doubling of training schemes must include urban as well as rural youngsters. “FIRST DUTY”

Mr Rata said that the pro- • posed opportunity centres must have the involvement , Of community groups. ; “I would not subscribe public funds to a marae that 1 did not have some area of vital Maori involvement.” It

was essential that a marae provided tang) facilities. - “Fbr those that do have that involvement, it is necessary to provide financial help,” said Mr Rata. “They should be regarded as an added community amenity. ■ “If we are going to improve people’s economic conditions we have to improve their social conditions." The government’s first duty, he said, was towards the conventional marae and meeting house, though he recognised that many maraes * now have an added dimension in providing a community play centre, pensioner housing, and other facilities."