No tax funds for marae

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 2

No tax funds for marae

NZPA Sydney The New Zealand Government would not give any hand-outs for building a marae in Sydney, said the Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Couch) yesterday. “I couldn’t go back to Mr Muldoon and say 'How about a bit of taxpayers’ money to help our people over there’.” he said.

‘‘This is the greatest concentration of Maoris outside New Zealand and we are prepared to look at the marae proposal, but as far as the taxpayers’ money is concerned, no.” Mr Couch had led a group of Maori leaders and elders to Sydney at the week-end for talks with the local Maori community and to look at Sydney Maoris’ proposals for a marae. At a public meeting on Saturday morning, attended by a disappointingly small gathering of about 50 people. Mr Couch said that help for the Sydney marae could come from Maoris in New Zealand.

But first the Sydney people had to settle internal differences in their organisation, the Aroha Co-operative Society, he said. “You have a domestic problem, one that you have got to settle yourselves,” he said.

The society in Sydney has been wracked by personality clashes and differences over religion and politics. Other prominent Maoris who spoke at the meeting also emphasised the need for unity. “I am certain that if you unite, young and old, here in Sydney and Australia., there is nothing you cannot achieve. You can move mountains if you are one,” said Sir James Henare. Sir Charles Bennett said the Sydney Maoris should not be too grandiose in their plans for-a marae. Mr George Sutherland, president of the Aroha society, has spoken of needing to raise $1 million for a Sydney marae.