MAORI PEOPLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26228, 12 August 1946, Page 6

MAORI PEOPLE

REHABILITATION QUESTION SAME BASIS AS OTHERS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. Regret that Sir Apirana Ngata, National candidate for the Eastern Maori seat, had aligned himself with “ those who had slandered the Maori people" was expressed by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when speaking at Khandallah last night.

Mr Fraser said he was a friend of Sir Apirana, whom he respected for his ability and what he had done to aid Maori cultural and economic life. “I am sorry, however,” he added, “to see him come out and take a stand with those who did not think the Maori people had the same rights as the pakeha; or that anything could be done for the Maoris, and who did not think social security was something to benefit both Maori and pakeha." Mr Fraser said he would reply to Sir Apirana Ngata’s criticism of the Government at a later, date. It was sufficient now to say that the rehabili-, tation and settlement of Maoris on the land had been on the same basis as for other ex-servicemen. The-Prime Minister has announced that the organisation for the operation of the Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act, which was passed by Parliament last year, might be complete within the next two months. The tribal committees which would give the 98,000 Maori people new responsibilities of local self-government were now. being elected. The Act incorporates much of the Maori Councils Act, which it replaces, and includes ideas worked out by the Maori people in their war effort organisation'.