TREATY OF WAITANGI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3972, 29 April 1930, Page 47

TREATY OF WAITANGI.

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. DISCUSSED BY MAORIS. PALMERSTON N.. April 21. The Treaty of Waitangi was the allabsorbing topic at Ratana during Easter, when between 2000 and 3000 Maoris from all parts of New Zealand assembled to take part in a discussion as to whether they were justified in proceeding with a petition to Parliament praying for the re-interpretation of the conditions of the treaty in view of the opinion held that had the signatories on the Maori side fully understood the clauses they would never have signed. The treaty on its face value gave the Maoris free access to river beds, fishing grounds, and forests “ at the pleasure of her Majesty Queen Victoria.” It is contended to-day by the Maori race, which has since become more enlightened, that the chiefs of the Waitangi days never realised how greatly this proviso might interfere with the rights that were given them. From time to time since 1840 there have been various movements in an endeavour to get a re-interpretation of the treaty, but these have broken down through lack of co-operation. Ratana, however, by the success of his spiritual movement, has overcome many of the tribal differences and has united the Maori race in a way the like of which has never been seen before. The result is a wide request from the Maori race that the nakeha should consent to reopen the whole question of the treaty. Speaking at Ratana on Easter Sunday the great Maori prophet appealed for a full and free discussion of the whole issue. He welcomed the leaders of different thought who were present, including Paraire Tomoana. of Hastings, Paraire Te Tomo, of Kakariki (Maori organiser of the Reform Party), and Tuiti Makitanara, M.P. for the Southern Maori' District. He was pleased that these men of knowledge were- present, because they could help materially in discussing the advisability of presenting a petition to Parliament. Ratana particularly requested that both sides of the issue should be put before the gathering so that when the time came to decide there should be no doubts in the' minds of the Maori people. He announced the success -which had attended the circulation of a petition since Christmas. A grand total of 28,407 Maori (Ratanas and non-Ratanas). besides a number of Europeans, had signed. Details are as follow: — West Coast. —Of 88 covenants sent out 84 had been returned; 8644 members of the Ratana movement had signed. 2282 non-Ratanas. and 69 Europeans, making a total of 10.895. Northern District. —Of 51 covenants!? had been returned, signed by • 4584 Ratanas. 2291 non-Ratanas, and 34 Europeans. A total of 6909. East Coast. —Of 38 petitions. 37 had been returned, signed by 4449 Ratanas, 1657 non-Ratanas, and three pakehas. Total 6109.

Southern District (including Chatham Islands). —Thirteen'petitions sent out and 12 returned, signed by 1325 Ratanas, 1048 non-Ratanas, 22 Europeans. Total 2394. Grand Totals. —19,001 Ratanas, 7278 non-Ratanas, 128 Europeans. In continuing his address, the Maori prophet stated that he was appealing for unity in this very important matter, which could only come by. unity of spirit. The Mormons in New Zealand had issued a circular urging Maoris not to participate in an endeavour to resurrect the treaty under Ratana. As far as the Mormons were concerned, he was not worrying very much, but it would be a gracious act on their part if they confined their efforts to their own country, where there were millions they could teach. He would like an opportunity to meet Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister in Charge of the Native Affairs Department, so that they could discuss the issue. He had been asked to attend this hui, but had not done so, and it was inferred from that that the Minister was looking at matters from the parochial aspect instead of from the point of view of the good of the Maori race as a whole. It remained with the gathering to indicate whether they should go ahead or not. The next speaker was Mr Tuti Makatanara. M.P., who explained what had led up to the treaty, and pointed out that the pakeha bad already settled in New Zealand when the treaty was made. Mr Paraire Tomoana, a leading Maori layman of the Anglican church, said he objected to the petition because it contained as a preamble an invocation to the triune God and ministering angels and Ratana, the mouthpiece of God. Religion and polities, in his opinion, could not go together. One should be separate from the other. He then yead a statement to the effect that Sir Apirana Ngata was not opposed to the petition, and there was no harm in signing it.