PAYMENT TO MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23481, 19 October 1939, Page 14

PAYMENT TO MAORIS

FISHABLE RIVER RIGHTS MINISTER APPROACHED [nY TELKGKAI'H—OWN COItKESPOXDENT] ROTORUA, Wednesday "There should be no lingering doubts about the attitude of the Government toward the Maori race," said the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, to a representative deputation of pakehas and Maoris at Tokaanu. "Tho general interests of the Maori have been closely studied, and nothing has been done which would interfere with the equalitv of status of the Maori and the pakefin." . Tho remarks of the Minister followed a plea by Mr. J. Asher for payment by tho Government of compensation to the Maoris in relation to the riparian rights of tho Maori over the fishable rivers of the thermal district. "The Government pays us £,'5000 a year for the lake waters," Mr, Asher said, "but although our petition in respect of the rivers was considered a few years ago, no decision has come from the Government."

: Mr. Parry said he recalled the petition, which ho thought was made during the regime of Mr. Coates' Government. Mr. Asher: The Maoris ask for n settlement of the matter. They liavo their rinarian rights and want tho money duo to them. Mr. Parry: I think there aro several questions involved in the matter, and I will refer tho inquiry made to tho Government. Mr. Asher said the Maoris did not want the money to fritter awav, but wished to use it in tho development of thoir lands.