The Evening Star TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1940. THE TREATY OF WAITANGI.

Evening Star, Issue 23511, 27 February 1940, Page 6

The Evening Star TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1940. THE TREATY OF WAITANGI.

It is rather surprising that, in any quarter, the question should have been asked whether the Treaty of Waitangi is still binding upon the Governments of New Zealand or whether it is dead. Since some Maoris apparently have expressed concern on the point the Methodist Conference did not think it amiss yesterday to pass a resolution on their behalf pointing out their uncertainty to the Government, and asking that, for an assurance of its continued life, a summary of the historic document should be incorporated in the Statute Book. The precaution against forgetfulness is as curious as the question. We had thought the treaty was better known than most—perhaps any —of the Acts in Statute Books. To become, conversant with these one has to go to a special library or consult a lawyer, while the treaty is in every history book and is recalled continually. It is so short, amounting to three brief clauses, that anyone can remember its effect, and it has never been recalled so often or had so much public honour given to it as in the last few years—the years that have seen the Waitangi National Trust constituted by a recent Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. the rehabilitation of the Treaty House, and the Centennial commemorations. One might have thought that when the statement was made by Ministers of the Crown recently “ that the treaty is still binding upon the conscience of the Crown and consequently upon our Parliament and courts,” all doubts would have been set at rett, but the conference finds that “ this fact was not explicitly and clearly stated.” We have read more ambiguous language in statutes. Administration, however, is the real point. Naturally there have been grievances in respect of administration ; differences of interpretation will arise, questions of whether, in particular circumstances, the treaty is or is not applicable. Chiefs of the Waikato, King Country, and Taranaki tribes did not attend the Centennial commemoration at Waitangi, though they sent their contributions to the ceremonies. It was

explained that the Waikato Natives were aggrieved because the Government would not accede to a petition to exempt King Koroki from the provisions of the Social Security Act. We should have thought his inclusion under that measure was a natural consequence of Article I. of the treaty by which the chiefs ceded all their rights and powers of sovereignty to the Crown, and one of the “ rights and privileges c " British subjects ” assured to them in return by Article 111. A deeper cause for standing aloof, it was said, was the longstanding confiscation problem, “ for which, it is claimed, successive Governments have promised redress without following the gestures by any action.” Such differences will occur in all communities/ As to the general observance of the treaty, we have the assurance of Sir Apirana Ngata, given, not for the first time, at the Centennial observances, that “ on the whole I do not doubt that no native race has been so well treated as the Maoris in New Zealand.” He went on to refer to grievances still to be settled. There had been mistakes and misunderstandings in the past, said the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), but efforts were being made to obliterate them. All Governments have been anxious, for a great many years past, to do their best for the Maori, and they have done much for him. Some years ago a petition was signed asking that the provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi should be embodied in the Statute Books of the Dominion of New Zealand, the dominions of the British Commonwealth, and the British Government. It will bo of more avail for Ministers to write them on their hearts.