HIS MAIDEN SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 95, 23 April 1931, Page 9

HIS MAIDEN SPEECH

NEW MAOEI MEMBER

"IF I WERE LEADER"

A uniquci maiden speech, and one which commanded undivided attention, ■was delivered in the House last night ' by Mr. Taitc Te Tomo, Ecform member for Western Maori. Speaking inthe Nativo tongue, and in clear reson-, ant tonos, the member departed from the type of speech usually heard ou a Finance Bill and gavo a siniplo statement of his views. The speech, whicl^ lasted for only ten minutes, provoked choruses of commendation from the Labour benches. "Glory to God in the highest, and honour to tho King," said Mr. Te Tomo, through his interpreter, as a preface to his remarks. Since the session opened, he said, he had taken what notes ho could of what had been said in order to ascertain how the country should be governed. He had taken an .interest in the procedure, but noticing how Mr. Speaker had chastised several 1 members for being out of order, it made him feel afraid. (Laughter.) Mr. To Tovno then delved into the wheat question, which had been before ihc House in the afternoon. "I am very pleased that tho price of wheat has gone down, and yet at the same time I regret it has gone down," he ■ declared amidst laughter. "A good politician," interjected a member. ! Mr. Te Tomo went on to explain that Komo Maoris grew wheat, and now they were bewailing the fact that prices ' had gone down. "I would be pleased," i he added, "if when the price of wheat goes down the price of bread is also ; reduced." (Hear, hear.) "NO MONET AT ALL." "I know a large number of pcoplo . in jS'cw Zealand are like me, and have ' no money at all," he continued. "Since 1 have been here I have heard members, metaphorically speaking, throwing atones at each other, and the consequence is that nothing has been dorii? 1 -up to the present time." (Hear, hear.) Reverting to the wheat question, Mr. ' fIV Tomo said he wanted the people to know that the. Maori could grow wheat, and added that he hoped the faouse would be able to deal with the ' problems before it and benefit particularly people like himself who had no money. (Laughter.) He had noticed his party supporting motions moved by the Government, and that both parties wore fighting against Labour, and he found himself at a loss to know what the roault would be. As an afterthought he added: "That is in regard to wheat growing." GOVERNED FROM OUTSIDE. After the laughter had subsided and Jlr. To Tomo had overcome his own amusement, he surprised the House by announcing: "I read that in 1905 New Zealand was .made- a ■• self-governing Dominion, but since I have come to tho House I have come to tho conclusion that Now Zealand is being governed by outside countries. (Labour "hear, hears.") If I were the Leader of the House I would endeavour to get the »;o-operation of all members. of the Chamber to .help me to find ways and theans of assisting New Zealand, and particularly those poor unfortunate women who have no work to-day. (Hoar, hear.) I recognise that the United Party is in power, and that it is the Alpha and Omega, but I am perfectly satisfied from' the number of protests made in the House that the Government will soften its heart and amend some of its legislation."

Mr. Tc Tomo cod eluded by gating that his reason for speaking was to bei'ome acquainted with the House so that he could take part in debates concerning Maori matters when they came forward. "Kia'ora," he said as he resumed his | «eat amidst applause.