RETIREMENT NOT CERTAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1931, Page 16

RETIREMENT NOT CERTAIN

SIR APIRANA NGATA’S FUTURE. PREVIOUS DECISION QUALIFIED. The possibility that Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, may not retire from politics at the end of the present Parliament, contrary to his previously expressed, intention, was made evident on Saturday when a deputation from the Arawa tribe was waiting upon the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, at Rotorua. In the course of his speech Mr. Tai Mitchell, chairman of the Arawa Trust Board, said lie wished to testify, to the great value of Sir Apirana Ngata's work and tlie high respect in which he was held. He expressed the hope that Sir Apirana would reconsider his decision to retire at the end of the present Parliament. When replying to the deputation Lord Bledisloe took the opportunity to support the appeal made by Mr. Mitchell to Sir Apirana. At the close of the proceedings Sir Apirana said he was much impressed by the expressions of confidence in him. He also went so far as to say that if the schemes of land development now tinder way were not satisfactorily established at the end of three years, he would be prepared tn reconsider his decision to retire from politics. He did not want to abandon the schemes for the welfare of the Maoris until they were thoroughly well established.