Maori-Pakeha Federation

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 234, 3 October 1936, Page 4

Maori-Pakeha Federation

Circular Causes Trouble

MOTIVES FOE FORMATION QUESTIONED

Per Press Association. ROTORUA, Last Night. A sensation was caused at today’s session of the newly-formed Maori and Pakeha Federation at Ohiiicrnutu when one of the delegates, Mr. G. Elliott, of Te Kuiti, produced a circular which, he said, had been handed to several of the delegates outsido the conference hall and which made certain allegations regarding the conduct of the Arawa Trust Board, claiming that the federation was being formed by certain members of the board for political purposes. The circular, which was printed in Maori and English, was signed by one It'. Caruachaii as chairman of the Te Arawa Central Committee of the New Zealand Labour Party. “I say definitely, ” said Alri -Elliott, “that the person who put his namo to this, and the printer who published it are liable to prosecution. It is a lie and it has no business to be m circulation. 1 am a member of the Labour Party, and this man has no right to publish a thing like this. As chairman of a branch of the party, it-is u prostitution of the position he holds;." Mr. Elliott said that the allegations in the circular were false, and the claim that the federation had been formed with political objects was entirely untrue. The delegates hud assembled at Rotorua from ail parts of New Zealand with only one object—the uplift of the Maori people—and they had no political objectives whatever. Mr. R. Ehau (Rotorua) expressed a deep sense of regret that the political differences of opinion among tho Rotorua Maoris which had been responsible for the circular, had been used to cast doubt upon the purpose of the federation. lie had no doubt that the object of the circular was to discredit lhe present leaner of the Maori race, Sir Apirana A gat a, and the present chairman of the Arawa Trust Board, Mr. Tui Mitchell. Ho described tho circular as “a vile and under-the-belt hit. ’ ’

Mr. M. R. Jones (flaweru) said that there was no foundation for tho suggestion that the idea of forming the federation had emanated from Rotorua. On the contrary, it had come from Mr. D. Tatcre, of Danueeirke. He was sure that he expressed tho opinion of all present when ho expressed his confidence that the motives of any members of tho Arawa tribe associated with the formation of the federation were beyond reproach. On the motion of Mr. Elliott, the conference unanimously expressed its strongest disapproval of the circular and demanded its withdrawal by those responsible. Non-Political Body. The leuerauon was uiscussed and approved. Tho objects of tno feneration* arc to promote Maori social and economic weil-ooing oy every possible means, and it was stipulated tuat it was to be a strictly non-political and nuusectanuu body.

It was deemed taut lire iieauquarters oi tho buuy ior tne lirst year snoulu bo in Rotorua, tho headquarters tnemuter to be deemed at tue annual meetings. The first officers oi uio ledernuou will be: Presiuent, mr. ixoniana x'okihu (Rotorua); secretary, Major R. Dunscy (Rotoruu); treasurer, Mr. D. Taleru (Dannevirae;; uuanor, Mr. M. R. nones (iiaweru); publicity officer, .Mr. \V. E. Bullivaiit (Gisborne); executive committee, Messrs. Tun Garroii (Waiioa), Rev. Laugnton (Xaupoj, T. Hotel (Te Kuiii), a. Asner (lOKaanu,, G. Elliott (Te Kuiti), E. Edwards (Taranaki), T. Dennett (Wanganui), W. Bird (Murupura). The conioreneo tnscusseu Uie question of tho Maori Council system and decided to recommend to the Government tiiut it be retained, but that the powers and authority of the members of me council be widened. The opinion was expressed tuai, owing to tho fact that the councils had no way oi enforcing their autnonty or collecting finance, their prestige and mana had suffered. Concern regarding the extent to

which liquor was undermining the morals and neaim of the- Maori race was expressed by a number of delegates during the course of a long discussion, and tne matter was reierreu to a special sub-committee to draft an appropriate resolution for submission to the Government.

Mr. Turi Carroll (Gisborne) expitssed the opinion that differentiation against tho Maori under the licensing laws was making them back-door drinkers. Cinnamon and negros could obtain liquor in New Zealand where a Maori was denied.

Archdeacon R. Hodgson (Rotorua) said that strong steps should be taken to prevent the sale of second-grade liquor which was dispensed in so many New Zealand hotels. The true remedy was not prohibition, but self-control. Ho considered something should bo done to counteract the activities of largo hotel combines, and that tbe Maori should be protected against bad liquor.