INFLUENTIAL MAORIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27043, 30 March 1949, Page 6

INFLUENTIAL MAORIS

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER VENTILATION OF GRIEVANCES PA WELLINGTON, Mar. 29. One of the largest and most representative Maori deputations to visit Wellington for many years will assemble in Wellington to-morrow morning to interview the Prime Minister, Mr Frasbr, and will be led by King Koroki, Princess Te Puea Herangi, and other leaders of the Waikato and Ngati Maniapoto tribes. The deputation’s objects are: (1) To greet Mr Fraser (who is also Minister of Maori Affairs) and compliment him on the work accomplished abroad: (2) to “complain about certain things that occurred during his absence (3) to explain why certain elders boycotted the recent licensing referendum in the King Country; (4) -to place before Mr Fraser a statement concerning the “authenticity, status, and purpose of the King Country pact”: and Y 5) to voice “ strong criticism from the Maori viewpoint of the procedure and interpretations adopted ” by the Licensing Commission. It is also announced on behalf of the deputation that a complaint will be made to the Prime Minister that an attempt has been made by departmental officials to suppress the deputation.