Maori seats

Press, 1 December 1987, Page 22

Maori seats

Sir,—You have argued for the abolition of separate Maori representation (November 25) with the kind of sublime sophistry so typical of newspapers in this country since its introduction in 1868. It is of no consequence, of course, that separate politicalrepresentation arose as a discriminatory measure against Maori people, to keep them off the general rolls in their overwhelming numbers, until such time as their land titles were individualised, and the basis of their franchise lost It was a temporary measure, forced upon a reluctant New Zealand colonial Government by Britain, a colonial Government that Britain could not trust with the administration of “native affairs." It was not surprising that the Premier, Stafford, would in 1872 assert that it was absurd to think that Maori representatives could ever sit in Cabinet and take part in the ordinary affairs Of. the new colony. Such attitudes were strong throughout the nineteenth century and remain today. One feels tor H. V. Taiaroa, M.P. tor Southern Maori, who in 1875 had sufficient foresight to exclaim in frustration that Maori people had gained little political

representation and that, while the Government was able to manipulate the form and basis of their representation, they were effectively powerless and should abandon the system altogether.-* Yours, etc., ".V * DANNY KEENAN. November 26, 1987.