TRIUMPH FOR ELDERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27027, 11 March 1949, Page 4

TRIUMPH FOR ELDERS

OLD PACT ENDORSED Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, Mar. 10. The rejection of liquor by the Maoris in the King Country is regarded as a triumph for the Maori tribal elders who have strenuously held to the King Country “pact” to ban liquor from the area. Princess Te Puea and other Maori leaders have held fast to the principle established by King Koroki and the chiefs of the Maori king movement who are claimed to have entered into a pact or agreement with the Government when the King Country was opened up for the Main Trunk Railway that liquor would never be brought into their territory. Strong and emotional pleas were made to a committee of the House last session by Maori leaders who considered that even the act of exercising a vote on the introduction of liquor would be a betrayal of their ancestors. They feared that the younger generation of Maoris would find the attraction of open bars stronger than their will to adhere to Their tribal bond. The result of the poll, even though the majority vote cast by the Maoris was small, is considered evidence that the younger Maori of to-day is still to a considerable extent under the influence and guidance of the elders.