Fears confirmed on Access—Peters

Press, 23 May 1988, Page 7

Fears confirmed on Access—Peters

Mr Winston Peters, the Opposition spokesman on Maori Affairs, has renewed his claims that what had actually happened over the Manawatu-Rangitikei Maori Access Committee as investigated by the Au-ditor-General contradicted what the Minister of Maori Affairs had told Parliament.

The Auditor-General’s preliminary findings confirmed his fears, he said. Figures of payments and funding provided as an appendix to Mr Tyler’s report did not tally with figures provided to Parlia-

ment by the Minister. “No wonder Mr Wetere was not prepared to come clean in the House," Mr Peters said. Mr Tyler also referred to the dual role played by Professor Ngatata Love, of Massey University, as director of the Tu Tangata Whanau in Palmerston North and as chairman of the Maori Access Committee that decided the level of funding. Mr Tyler said that in mid-January, 1987, Professor Love had asked for help from Arthur Young, chartered accountants, with administration and

other financial matters in respect of Maori Access monies being provided to Tu Tangata Whanau. Mr Peters said the Minister must have known of Professor Love’s dual role.

Breach of privilege proceedings had been initiated with the Speaker, Mr Burke, as to whether Mr Wetere had misled Parliament.

“It does not surprise me that the Audit Office has started another inquiry into the legality of the financial side of the scheme,” Mr Peters said.