NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK TWO LANGUAGES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 July 1938, Page 8

NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK TWO LANGUAGES.

NO CHECK ON MAORI MEMBER’S BROADCAST. (By Telegraph-Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. In the House to-day, Hr. E. T. Tirikatene asked the 'Speaker’s permission to address the House in English and then translate his speech into "the .Maori language for the sake of the Maori listeners who were more familiar with the latter.

The Speaker (Hon. W. E, Barnard) said he thought he could permit Mr, Tirikatene to do so, hut he pointed oat that he (Mr, Barnard) would not he in a position to control the interpretation into Maori and if exception were taken to the translation the services of an official interpreter would have to he availed of. Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates stated that a very old precedent was being npset by the Speaker’s ruling. A member might speak in English and then translate it into Maori and there would be no cheek on such translation unless the Speaker were in a position to do so himself. Personally, said Mr. Coates, he could not guarantee to cheek up m such a translation and lie was of opinion that many members of the House who had a knowledge of the native language would find themselvessimilarly situated. The Speaker pointed out that if there was any objection to the translation the official interpreter’s services would becalled in.

Mr. Tirikatene then intimated that lie would continue his speech in English.