Mr. Paikea’s Maiden Speech

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1939, Page 8

Mr. Paikea’s Maiden Speech

[Per Press Association. Copyright] WELLINGTON, This Day.

In his maiden speech, delivered during the Address-in-Reply debate in the House yesterday afternoon, Mr P. K. Paikea (Government—Northern Maori) said the Maori people as a race had received a great deal from the Labour Government. He complimented the Government for the introduction of the social security benefits, for broadcasting Parliament throughout the country, and for the avenues it had provided for the education of the Maori people. Figures showed that the Government was mindful of the fact that it had a duty not only to the pakeha but also to the Maori today.

Hats Off To Government.

Maori people took off their hats to the Labour Government. Even though the Government might spend thousands on Maori education, he considered there was still a danger point—the age of adolescence. If a boy or girl did not have any encouragement to go into the industrial world or any other sphere, then the money would be wasted. Development work started by the Member for Eastern Maori had been carried on by the Labour Government. Rapid progress had been made with Maori housing, but he would like to draw attention to the fact that the department was building houses without regard to ho number in a family. Centennial Gesture. In conclusion, Mr Paikea made a plea to the Government that, as a Centennial gesture, it should give redress to grievances under which Maoris had been labouring since the Treaty of Waitangi.