VICE-REGAL GENEROSITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 10, 9 December 1932, Page 6

VICE-REGAL GENEROSITY

ANOTHER LIBERAL GIFT. ADDITION TO WAITANGI MEMORIAL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. In moving the second reading of the Waitangi National Trust Board Bill in the House of Representatives to-day, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W - Forbes, placed on* record his public statement of May 12 in which he expressed the deep gratitude of the Government and people of New Zealand to Their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Lady Bledisloe for the gift of the Waitangi site. Continuing, Mr Forbes said: In connection with the creation of the Waitangi National Trust, provision for which is embodied in the Bill now before the House, I have very great pleasure in informing the House of two further most generous offers by ThenExcellencies. In view of the urgent necessity of putting in hand the rehabilitation of historic premises, and in order to remove anxiety relative to the financial position of the trust at its inception, Their Excellencies have submitted the following proposals to the Goveitiment: — ' , “(1) The balance of the land (an area of 1300 acres), forming part of the old Waitangi estate situate in its ‘hinterland’ and not. included in their gift of May last to be vested, by Their Excellencies under a separate deed of gift in the Government with a view to rendering it immediately available for afforestation under a 999 years’ lease at a peppercorn rent; such work of afforestation to be put in hand at the earliest possible moment. The ultimate net revenue from this property, whether under timber or not, to be shared in equal parts by the Government and the Waitangi Trust. “(2) The rehabilitation of the treaty house and its immediate surroundings to he provided for by a Waitangi renovation fund in the hands of trustees, to which the public shall be invited to contribute and to which Their Excellencies have signified their readiness to contribute tho sum of £IOOO spread over two years. If such renovation fund were initiated Their Excellencies feel there would probably be many public-spirited bodies and individuals who. even in these bad times would follow suit.

GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION. “These proposals have recently received Cabinet’s consideration,” Mr Forbes continued, “and the Government has decided to accept most gratefully both these additional offers on the part of Their Excellencies. The Government has agreed to make a grant of £S(K) from the Consolidated Fund for _ the purpose of renovating the . buildings, fences, etc., one-half of this amount being made available this financial year. The Government, in addition, proposes to arrange for unemployment funds to he expended in clearing the land and on other works which may he required, and for this purpose it is intended to establish an unemployment relief camp in the locality. . . “I feel certain I am voicing the opinions not only of members or the House, but also of the citizens generally of the Dominion when I say we appreciate most whole-heartedly the very generous action of Their _ Excellencies in enabling this historic area to bo preserved to the nation for all time. Ido not consider it out of place on my part as Prime Minister to say that of the many tangible evidences* of the keen interest which Their Excellencies have displayed in the welfare of Nerv Zealand during their term of office this gift of the Waitangi estate is outstanding and will increase in no small measure the already deep esteem and affection in which they are held.” PERSONNEL OF TRUST BOARD. Tho Leader of the Opposition, Mr H. E. Holland, endorsed the Prime Minister’s remarks. He said Their Excellencies’ precious gift of New Zealand’s most historic spot was appreciated by all sections of the community.' Mr Holland suggested that the South Island Maoris might be represented on the Trust Board by the member for Southern Maori, and he was sure it would be appreciated if a member of the Opposition were also appointed. Mr E. T. Tirikatene (Southern Maori), who joined in expressions of appreciation of the gift, said the an-, cestors of the South Island Maoris had signed the treaty and for that reason he agreed with Mr Holland’s suggestion

Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, Alinister of Native Affairs, said he hoped Air Tirikatene would not regard the matter as one between the Islands. The tribes living south of Auckland had accepted the decision of Their Excellencies to have one representative. There was no doubt the first claim to representation was that of the Ngapuhis. It was to the credit, of the pakeha that he always encouraged and lived up to the principles of the treaty. By their gift Their Excellencies had rendered a service that must become part and parcel of the joint history q/ the Alaori and pakeha people. Had times been better the Alaoris would have signalised their appreciation of the gift in the good old Alaori way, but as it was the depression prevented them giving expression to the natural ebullition of their feelings. Air W. Nash suggested that the member for the Bay of Islands should ex officio be a member of the Trust Board.

Air \V. E. Barnard recalled that it was 16 years since Air T. Lindsav f*uicl k had published his splendid book. The Treaty of Waitangi,” which was now almost unprocurable. He suggested that efforts should be made to brl j l g °ut a cheap edition of this work and that some measure of Government assistance might reasonably be given with this object in view. A number of other members paid tribute to Their Excellencies’ gift- and the Bill was put through all stages and passed by both Houses