NGAITAHU CLAIM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20929, 7 January 1938, Page 6

NGAITAHU CLAIM

PERSONNEL OF NATIVE DELEGATION “Because of the wider constitution of the Maoris’ delegation appointed to meet the Government’s "representatives in connection with the Ngaitahu land claim, there is a general feeling of optimism amongst the natives of the South Island such as has never been experienced before," said Mr T. H. Paiki, one of the South Canterbury delegates to a conference in Christchurch on Wednesday which chose the personnel of the delegation. Although the conference had decided not to release its proposals for publication, Mr Paiki said, he could state that the negotiations with the Government would be on a different basis from the findings of the Royal Commission of 1920 which had fixed the amount of the claim at £354,000. It was originally thought that the natives’ delegation would comprise Dr. J. Hight, chairman of the Ngaitahu Trust Board, Mr E. T. Tirikatene, M.P., and another. However, the appointees were Dr. Hight and Messrs P. McDonald and J. M. Ellison, With Mr W. D. Barratt as reserve. Mt Tirikatene will be a delegate ex officio.