NATIVE MINISTER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 4

NATIVE MINISTER

Appreciation of Services Appreciation of the services rendered to New Zealand by Sir Apirana Ngata in his Ministerial capacity and as a , representative of the Maori people, is expressed by the Prime Minister, lit. Hon. G. W. Forbes, in the following personal letter, dated October 31, he has sent to the former Native Minister Dear Sir Apirana,— I desire to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of October 29 tendering your resignation as Native Minister and Minister of Cook Islands and as a member of the Executive Council. The resignation was submitted to. apd accepted by, bis Excellency this day, I take the opportunity of expressing my feeling of deep regret at the severance of our Ministerial comradeship. Throughout our long association I have always fojind you an upright and loyal colleague, and in your Ministerial capacity. as a representative of the Maori race, you have always had very closely to heart everything appertaining to their welfare. I am grateful to you, as I feel certain my fellow-members of Cabinet will be, for your assurance that you will be glad to render all the assistance you can, as on* of the Maori members of Parliament, to the Government and the country, to prevent any misunderstandings arising and to .make smooth the administration of Native affairs. In an official statement I am making to the House this evening I am expressing appreciation of this manifestation of goodwill, and as I am assuming the Ministerial offices rendered vacant by your resignation.' I shall indeed be glad to have your valued co-operation and advice at all times. . • : I shall miss you as a colleague, but I trust that our long personal friendship will last to the end of life. Yours sincerely,, . . GEO. W- lORBES.