Maoris Want Japs: Fantastic Story

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1938, Page 5

Maoris Want Japs: Fantastic Story

I Per Press Association. Copyright.] WELLINGTON. This Day. During a discussion on national defence at the conference of the Now Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. Major H. S. Westmacott, > f Otorohanga, said that Japanese propaganda was going on in this country—a big section of the Maori people was being impregnated with it. Voices: Nonsense. Major Westmacott: I know what 1 am talking about. They are telling their friends to subscribe to a movement which is going to give them back their own lands. Contacts have been made with the Japanese through a socalled religious movement, and the socalled priests are in the country stirring them up. “Rot,” says Sir Apirana When asked to comment on Major Westmacotfs assertion, Sir Apirana Ngata. M.P., described it as “rot,” and it was denied also by Mr. E. T. Tirikatene. M.P., and Mr. T. Ratana. M.P.. and by the Acting-Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. F. Langstone. The Minister said he had never heard of any such propaganda. Sir Apirana Ngata recalled that when the prophet Ratana went Home in 1924 the party returned by way of Japan, and some years subsequently a Japanese bishop paid a visit to Ratana in New Zealand. It might be in this connection that the present suggestion was made. “But you will not find any Maori response to any Japanese overtures,” fie added, with emphasis. A Possible Solution Mr. Tirikatene suggested that the recent remarks of Bishop Cherrington might have some bearing on the position Major Westmacott claimed to exist, but there was absolutely no doubt of the loyalty of the Maori people tn the Empire. Mr. Ratana said that in his electorate he had never heard mention of the propaganda alleged.