A KING'S ANNUITY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 115, 11 November 1935, Page 10

A KING'S ANNUITY

DEMOCRATS' OFFER

PLAN FOR MAORIS

REPLY TO CIRCULAR

The policy of the Democrat Party as affecting the Maori race, and including a proposal for an annuity of £1000 for Kinfe Koroki, is replied to in a circular issued by Sir Apirana Ngata and Mf*Si*s. Tc Taite Te Tomo and Tau Heuar'e, who arc contesting Maori.seats under the Government flag, states the "Taranaki Daily News."

"The Maori policy of the Democrat Party, as outlined in the 'official' and 'authorised' platform of the party, when boiled down from four pages of printed matte::, means no more than the policy already in operation by the present Government, supported by the sitting members, Sir A. T. Ngata and Tau Henare and Te Taite Te Tomo," states the circular, inter alia.

"It is an acknowledgment by the new party of the soundness of the policy pursued by the • present Government and its predecessors, that it should be pursued with vigour in the years ahead and with such modifications in detail as circumstances may dictate.

"The real tit-bit of the Democrat policy is contained in a supplementary circular, and was evidently designed to capture the support of the Waikato and associated tribes, whose leaders had already issued a notification that they would support the sitting memiber, Mr. Te Tomo. A notification of 'this nature in former elections for the Western Maori electorate was considered'so weighty as to determine the election in favour of the candidate favoured by the Maori king and his family. To shake confidence in the favoured one required something more than the 'authorised''and 'official' policy; the bait was not thought good enough, hence the; supplementary policy, -which contained the following:— 'That provision be made for all time of an annuity of £1500 for King Koroki, which; will'be'provided solely from the funds of : the Maori Purposes Board and from no other source.'

"This was submitted in person by the Democrat candidates for the Maori electorates at Waahi pa, Huivtly, on October 8, and succeeding days. The Waikato leaders refused the bait. On the other hand, they accepted the Government, offer of £5000 a year to compensate the Waikato confiscation claims, to be commuted into a capital i sum to be hereafter discussed with the Government; and in the annual grant or the capital' sum when determined, a trust board to be constituted at an early date will make such provision as the Waikato tribes may determine for King Koroki and his. line. They preferred the substance offered by an authority in being to the shadow promised as an election bait by men who have no possible chance of turning it into reality. ■■•.'.■' . ' "The 'official* and 'authorised' platform contained an appeal in these words:—'lt is a new call, and if the Maori people answer it by voting for the Maori Democrat Party candidates, then the foundation for a mighty nation, a contented end prosperous people, will have been laid.'. "In all the negotiations '. and discussions that took place this session, when a deputation of ' Waikato representatives, headed by Tumate Mahuta, waited upon the Government, they uttered no single word of appeal on behalf of the Maori king, but confined themselves to the grievances arising from the confiscations. They spoke as befitted chiefs when facing the chiefs of the State. They said that in respect of

King Koroki and his line they awaited

a satisfactory settlement of the confiscation claims with the Government,

when Waikato would make proper provision. They said in answer to the Government's question. 'What purposes shall be specified for the compensation grant?' that first and foremost suitable provision would be made for Koroki or anyone succeeding him in the position and after that for other j purposes. And it was left at that. It I was the talk of chiefs."