Protesters to go

Press, 8 May 1978, Page 6

Protesters to go

PA Auckland In a last-minute change of mind, two of the Bastion Point protest leader* have agreed to vacate the land this morning. They are Mr J. P. Hawke and Mr R. P. Rameka.

The news was announced at 10 pun. yesterday by the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr G. McMillan). Asked if the rest of the protesters would also leave, Mr McMillan said: “No comment.” He said: “The Bastion Point leaders will leave Crown land early tomorrow and will inform the registrar of the Supreme Court accordingly.” The surprise decision came after a week-end of negotiation* in which Mr McMillan was involved, and an unexpected meeting yesterday between the protesters and Maori elders.

The meeting took place after a funeral on the Orakei marae.

In spite of this, several elders said later: “There has been no change in our position.”

This meant the elders were sticking by their signed agreement with the Government and would refuse to combine with Mr Hawke to negotiate further with the Government. But a break came last evening when Mr Hawke telephoned Mr McMillan and asked him to come to Bastion Point urgently. Mr McMillan said he believed the two men had agreed to leave at the request of leading NgatiWhatua elders. He said he was gratified bv their decision to comply with the Supreme Court order to leave. Refusal to do so would inevitably have led to a “difficult situation with far-reaching effects.” Government agencies involved would continue to

have discussions with the Ngati-Whatua elders on final implementation of the already approved landtransfer proposal. Mr McMillan said: “If the elders are willing to involve Mr Hawke in the continuing discussions, this would be quite acceptable to the Crown.”

Mr McMillan explained that 25 acres, including the Maori State housing in Kitemoana Street, was involved in the deal which the Government had agreed to. The elders had enthusiastically accented the Government price of 5257.000 but this was still only approved in principle.

“There are lots of loose ends to be tied up and there is to be a series of further discussions between the elders and me. This is why there is no formal agreement yet and whv I said I would be happy for the elders to involve Mr Hawke,” Mr McMillan said.