EAST COAST LANDS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 152, 24 March 1944, Page 3

EAST COAST LANDS

Reply To Statements At Deputation

Statements reported to have been made by Mr. A. T. Carroll and Mr. H. E. MacGregor in an interveiw with the Native Minister, Mr. Mason, at YVairoa recently, were replied to last evening by Mr. Abe Karere, who was secretary of the Maori Labour Conference held at Opoutama in January. It was reported in Tuesday’s “Dominion" that a strong and influential deputation of Maoris from many parts of the district with interests in lands controlled by the East Coast. Commissioner, waited on the Minister to endeavour to secure the reappointment of Jlr. J. 8. Jesse’p, whose term concludes on March 31.

Mr. Harerc said he particularly desired to refute the statement made that “strong political pressure" had been brought to bear. “Any matter such as this, affecting as it does the welUbeing of a trust of approximately 250,000 acres and thousands of Maori beneficiaries located not only in the East Coast but all over New Zealand, is surely entitled to be discussed at any representative meeting of the Maori people, whether political or otherwise,” he added. ‘The matter was naturally discussed at another conference held at Tiataua Pa in the Western Maori district. where many East Coast beneficiaries also reside. There, are East Coast beneficiaries also residing in theNorthern and Southern Maori districts, and they are also entitled to express their views, particularly where such a matter of policy is involved. “In introducing the speakers to the deputation, Mr. Carroll is reported to hare stated that he had a duty as a leader of,the Maori people, as chairman of the county council and as chairman of the Maori War Effort Organization, to bring them before the Minister. Mr. Carroll was definitely, entitled to do so in his own right and ns representative of two bodies who are vitally interested in the welfare of the trust and of the Maori beneficiaries.

“With regard to the statement to the effect that dissatisfaction with the administration of (he trust has only arisen during the last twelve months. I. desire to point out that this dissatisfaction as to the constitution and administration of the trust has been the subject of separate petitions to Parliament during the years 1934, 1930. 1937. 1939 and 1943, and these representations have l>een made by or on behalf of an overwhelming majority of the Maori owners. ’I lie dissatisfaction witli Mr. Jesseps administration is one factor only. One of the principal factors is tlie constitution of the trust, which is vested for all practical purposes in one trail and one man onlv, with almost unlimited and uncontrolled powers. The majority of the beneficiaries are asking, in view of. lite magnitude and operations of this (rust that this alone justifies the setting up of a proper Trust Board witli appropriate Maori representation on it. “As very properly mentioned by the Native Minister, it is for tlie Government to review the whole position aud to take such steps as are deemed necessary to put the East Coast Trust on a proper footing. As far as Mr. Jessep is concerned, he is the owner of many thousands of acres of farming land, which in the interests of production at this time of stress cull for his undivided attention.”