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HOUSE AMUSED

MAORI MEMBER SPEECH BY MR T. TE TOMO PANTOMIME AND STORY (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, November 1. Some idea of the average Maori’s outlook on politics and affaiis in New Zealand was gained by those who listened in the House of Representatives to-day to the speech of Mr T. Te Tomo (C. Western Maori). Sneaking in sonorous Maori, accompanied by a wealth of guesture, Mr T. Te Tomo. with quaint imagery and beautiful phraseology dealt with a wide varietv of subjects. Mr Te Tomo was very “bucked” about the formation of the Coalition and said lie had prophesied it. in 1930. “Since the Coalition,” he said, I have been able to see ahead through places covered with mist, straight places, and those wrapped in mystery." He then went on to natural history and though he did not say so, coupled the coming of the pakeha with the advent of noxious weeds and animal pests in the Dominion. There were also a few cryptic remarks about class of food before the pakeha ruled New Zealand. In those days men were able to distinguish two pigs. One was long and the other was short. To-day, said Mr Te Tomo, looking up to the sky and shading his eyes, “I am unable to see clouds in heaven. Why ? Because Europeans number one and a ”half lions and we are but a small 60,000. What that had to do with the case was not made exactly clear for Mr Te Tomo then went on to ask permission to quote a letter from the scriptures, from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans “We lived before law came. When law came we died.” “It is my hope, Mr Speaker, he said, “not to hurt anyone in this House. I want to explain the position of my people and ask the assistance of all members. I have found from experience that the pakeha is a very affectionate man.” He then went on to say how his people had been helped by the late Archdeacon Williams and asked for similar assistance to-day. He dealt at length with his feud with the Minister of Native Affairs and related how he had been converted to warm admiration by the development work now being carried out. Earlier he had done his best to place obstacles in the Minister’s way, but as in a chess game, whenever he moved he found himself checkmated. He had been told by the Minister of Native Affairs that he was like a dog that a prospector tied up to a tree. Here Mr Te Tomo was at his best. He pantomimed the story and barked a dog’s bark. “The dog tied to the tree saw the moon rise and knowing it was strange barked and howled at it all night, but the moon went on its serene course. The second night the dog did this and still the moon drifted across the sky. The third night the dog gave it up. You are like that dog,” the Native Minister had informed Mr Te Tomo. “You are barking aimlessly at the Native Minister regarding the finances of the country.” Mr Te Tomo did not presume to comment much. He hoped the Government would find more money for some of the young ladies in his district were writing to him that they had no money with which to buy tennis balls and tennis shoes. His only reply was "Be patient.” Mr Te Tomo next directed his attention to Mr Tiritakene. “My friend,” he said, “one should stand as an Independent, but I notice he was sworn in by the Labour whips. I therefore thought he was a member of the Opposition. He should not be an Independent. There are only two of them and I can’t see what they can do. My friend said that sitting on the rail was a good position. Probably the Opposition will offer him a bribe to vote in their direction and possibly the Prime Minister will come _ along and offer him money to vote in his direction, but I know this: he’ll get nothing.” The House roared at this naive and unwittingly flagrant breach of the rules of debate and at Mr Te Tomo’s significant pause. However, Mr Speaker proved indulgent and allowed the incident to pass. “I have advised my people not to follow Ratana,” concluded Mr Te Tomo, ’’but to follow me who will lead them to a better life and better times, mainly by working hard.”

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19321102.2.88

Bibliographic details

Southland Times, Issue 21853, 2 November 1932, Page 8

Word Count
752

HOUSE AMUSED Southland Times, Issue 21853, 2 November 1932, Page 8

HOUSE AMUSED Southland Times, Issue 21853, 2 November 1932, Page 8