MAORI WELFARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 15

MAORI WELFARE

NEW FEDERATION POLITICAL AIM DENIED ALLEGATIONS IN CIRCULAR RESENTMENT OF CONFERENCE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] KOTORUA, Friday A printed pamphlet, purporting to be signed by one R. Carnachan, as chairman of "Te Arawa Central Committee, New Zealand Labour Party," copies of which had been distributed by hand to several delegates, caused a mild sensation at the resumption of the inaugural meeting of the new Maori federation today. 1 lie pamphlet alleged political motives behind the formation of the federation. 'lhe conference unanimously carried a resolution expressing its strongest disapproval of the circular and demanding that the people responsible for it unreservedly withdraw it. Mr. G. Elliott, of To Kuiti, who introduced the matter, said he wished to draw the attention of the chairman to a circular in Maori and English which had been handed to him outside the conference hall. "1 am a member of the New Zealand Labour Party," he said, "and this man has no right to publish a thing like this as chairman of a branch of the party." Totally Unfounded The allegation in the circular that the federation was a political body was totally unfounded and false, Mr. Elliott added. The delegates had. assembled from all parts of New Zealand with only one object in view, the uplift of the Maori people. If there was local trouble among the Maori people in Rotorua the\" must settle it themselves. In this case it had been used to level an unfounded allegation against the federation. He moved that the conference express rts complete disapproval of the circular, and that the people responsible for it, and for putting it into circulation, be asked unreservedly to withdraw it. Mr. J. Asher, Tokaanu, said he understood the body mentioned in the circular, the Te Arawa branch of the Labour Party, had 300 members. He thought some explanation should be given why this body was not asked to send delegates to the conference. Reason Why Not Invited Mr. Kepa Ehau, Rotorua. expressed his deep regret that a pamphlet which had its origin in purely local disputes should seek to give the impression that the conference was actuated by political motives. So far as the allegation that the Minister of Health had refused to be associated " with the conference was concerned, he could saj positively that they had never sought the assistance of the Government, but merely, as a matter of courtesy, had advised the Minister of what was proposed. "I say straight out," said Mr. Ehau, "that no invitation was sent to this body to attend this conference, because it is purely a political body. That is the only reason, and because our local troubles are the affairs of the Arawa, and are not for this conference." Government's Attitude Mr. M. R. Jones, Hawera, said the allegation in the circular that the federation originated in Arawa territory was quite incorrect. It had been the suggestion of Mr. I). Tatere, of Dannevirke. It embraced all parts of New Zealand and its aims were entirely i non-political. They had full confidence that any members of the Arawa people j who had taken part in the formation of the federation were actuated b3' the highest motives. Mr. R. I. Dansev then read correspondence from the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Eraser, who stated: "While appreciating any offer of co-operation and the spirit animating it. the Government cannot be associated with any conference not held under its own auspices. Any representations which your conference or any other gathering _of native people and friends of the native people may make will receive sympathetic consideration." Mr. Elliott's motion was then put to the meeting and carried. CONSTITUTION OF MOVEMENT FIRST OFFICERS ELECTED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT J ROTORUA, Friday A graceful compliment the noted Maort statesman, the late Sir James Carroll, was paid by the conference of the new Maori federation at Ohinemutu to-day, when it left vacant the office of patron for one year in ordei that it might be dedicated -to his memory. Also, Sir James' famous motto," "Tatau Tatau," meaning "All of us together," was adopted as the slogan of the federation, together with a badge comprising the design of a crossed taiaha and paddle, lhe taiaha represents peaceful war if necessary and the paddle denotes progress. In presenting the special sub-com-mittee's recommendations, the Rev. J. Laughton, of Taupo, said it was fell that the constitution should be as liberal as possible in order to enlarge the scope of the organisation. It was also not desirable that existing native organisations should lose their identity. Thev should merely affiliate with the federation. The general objects of the federation should be the promotion ol the moral, social and material wellbeing of the Maori people, and it was felt that the body should become incorporated. The constitution of the federation, as submitted by the special committee, was adopted, and it was decided thai for the first year the headquarters should be in Rotorua. Officers were elected as follows: Patron, vacant; president, Mr. Hemana Pokiha (Rotorua 1; secretary, Mr. R. 1. Dansev (Rotorua"); treasurer, Mr. D. 'latere (Dannevirke); auditor, Mr, ; M. R. Jones (Hawera); publicity officer, Mr. W. E. Bullivant (Gisborne); executive committee. Messrs. Turi Carroll (Gisborne), H. Tai Mitchell (Rotorua), T. Hetet (Te Kuiti), J. Ashei (Tokaanu), G. Elliott (Te Kuiti), E. Edwards (Taranaki), T. Bennett (Wanganui), W. Bird (Mnrupara), and the Rev. J. Laughton (Taupo). SYSTEM OF COUNCILS REINSTATEM ENT A D VOC ATED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] ROTORUA, Friday A decision to recommend to th< Government the reinstatement ol Maori councils, and that they be given wider and fuller authority to carry oul their functions satisfactorily, was made at the Maori Federation conference to-day. The opinion was expressed thai the Maori council system was a verj useful means of local administration, but that the councils should be given more effective means of enforcing their authority. The chairman of the conference, Father J. J. Reardon, of Napier, strongly supported the retention of the councils, but said they must begncn the neeessarv authority. Nevertheless, with the greatest respect, he remmded the conference that there bar _ examples of members of Maori . who were themselves not an • - < P to the people and who used Jeir Poa«. tion to protect their on n re< * jgj 1