BREAK IN CUSTOM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 288, 2 November 1934, Page 6

BREAK IN CUSTOM

NO MAORI IN MINISTRY. FIRST TIME FOR 40 YEARS. WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. With the announcement of the acceptance of the resignation of Sir Apirana Ngata, the New Zealand Ministry will, for the first time for more than 40 years, he without at least one member of the native race. Sir Janies Carroll was appointed the member of the Executive Council representing the native rac-e, without portfolio, in the Ballanc-e Ministry on March 10, 1892, and held that post until the end of 1899. The rule was that the portfolio of Native Affairs should he held by a European. Thus Mr A. J. Cadman was Native Minister under Mi- Ballance, and Mr Seddon took the portfolio in 1893. Sir Janies was appointed a full member of the Calvnet in 1899, and continued so in the HnllI Jones and Ward Ministeries, going out lof office with the latter in 1912. I During Mr Seddon’s Ministry, MaliuIta, the Maori “King,” was also a member of the Executive, but without portj folio. | Sir Apirana Ngata was appointed to a similar position by Sir Joseph Ward in 1906. In the brief Mackenzie Ministry, in 1912, Te Raiigihiroa (Dr Peter Buck) represented the native race, but the portfolio of Native Affairs was left vacant. Again in the Massey and in the National Ministry there was no Minister of Native Affairs, but Sir Maui Pomare represented the Maoris on the | Executive Council. In the Massey Min- j istry in 1919 Sir Maui became (Minister of Health and Minister m charge of 1 the Cook Islands, but Mr Coates’ be- I came Minister of Native Affairs. On j Mr Massey’s death Mr Coates contiim- j eel to held the portfolio. In both the j Massey and Coates Ministries, Sir! Maui Romaic was the member of the Executive Council representing the na- I t:ve race.

Sir Apirana Ngata became Native Minister in the Ward Administration ill I, ;, a ", ( -l las the same portfolio in the Coalition Cabinet, as well as beiirn the representative of the native race on the Executive Council.