NATIVE AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 July 1939, Page 6

NATIVE AFFAIRS

PRAISE .FOR GOVERNMENT

The contention that the Maori would have followed the moa to extinction in .another ten years had the Native affairs policy of the past Governments been allowed to continue was made by Mr. E. T. Tirikatene (Government, Southern Maori). When he listened to the Opposition's criticism of the Government, he said, he was tempted to compare conditions; of the Maoris under the National Government with those existing today. They had to take their hats off to the present Administration for what it had done for the Maoris. He instanced the various benefits which the Maori was enjoying under the Government's social legislation, especially in regard to housing, education, health, and Social Security

Touching on the question of defence, Mr. Tirikatene contended that New Zealand today was in a better fighting position than ever. The Dominion had the man-power and the necessary ability, but what was wanted was more secret co-operation among the leaders. "Did Joe Louis the other day tell his opponent where he was going, to hit him. or how much weight he had behind his fist?" he qsked. "No, he kept that up his sleeve. We should make ourselves strong, but should- keep the fact up our sleeve."