MAORI PARTY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 6

MAORI PARTY

FORMATION PROPOSED ELECTION PREPARATIONS (P A ) NEW PLYMOUTH, March 26. The initial steps towards the formation of a Maori party, with the object of contesting native electorates at the forthcoming general election, were taken at a meeting in New Plymouth at which 20 delegates representing all the major tribes in the Dominion were present. „ . , Subsequently the following official statement was issued: “An impromptu meeting of representatives of the Maori race concerning the coming election was held at New Plymouth on March 23, the object being to discuss ways and means whereby the rights and privileges of the Maori people as embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi, which has lain dormant since its inception on February 6, 1840. may be safeguarded. “The socialistic ideas of the Maori race were also discussed, it being found that the traditions and creed highly honoured and upheld by our forebears had been demoralised. “After lengthy discussion, a motion was submitted upon the formation of a new party, entitled the Maori Party. This resolution will be submitted to all tribes throughout New Zealand.”