EQUALITY OF CITIZENSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22835, 20 March 1936, Page 10

EQUALITY OF CITIZENSHIP

MAORIS AND EUROPEANS PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS (Peb United Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 19. The view that equality in citizenship between the Maoris and the Europeans must entail equality in responsibilities wherever possible was expressed by the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) who, as Native Minister, to-day received a deputation representative of the King Country counties on the subject of the non-pay-ment of Native rates. Mr Savage received the deputation’s request sympathetically, and said that the matters raised would be referred to the Native Department for a report. He remarked that he had not a great deal of sympathy for the man who could pay and would not pay. He had quite expected to be told that it was a matter of money but, he added, the Government would be facing the money problem in the next few weeks. Mr W. J. Broadfoot, introducing the deputation, said the counties claimed they were extending to the Maoris all the amenities extended to Europeans, and that the time had come when the Maoris should accept a fair share of the liabilities. In Te Kmti in the last six years Native rates had been struck to the extent of £3500, and there were still rates to the extent of £3OOI unpaid. Mr Savage, replying as indicated above, referred to the importance of the /adoption of a Native policy, and said he hoped lie would be assisted by being given all possible information. He undertook to have the matter considered by Cabinet at the earliest possible moment.