INTEREST IN THE NGAITAUU CLAIM.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21103, 1 August 1938, Page 8

INTEREST IN THE NGAITAUU CLAIM.

Interest in the Prime Minister's visit to Arowhenua yesterday when lie was given a characteristic Maori welcome, has additional significance because Mr Savage is Minister of Native Affairs. It is no secret that the coming of the Prime .Minister was awaited witii almost breathless expectancy, because the Maoris believed that Mr Savage would make an official pronouncement on the now historic Ngaitahu claim. Point was given to this expectancy in most of the speeches of welcome addressed to the distinguished visitor. The promises of the Labour Parly in Opposition and the undertakings of the Party now in office have led the South Island Maoris to believe that their claims would be settled during the life of the present Parliament. It is realised, of course, by all who view the Maori claim dispassionately that the problem that lias confronted Governments for so many years does not offer an easy solution. It is safe to say that the Maori leaders and people who had expected so much to come from the Prime Minister yesterday will be forced to the conclusion once they begin to think things out for themselves, that the result of the visit of the Prime Minister from point of view of the Ngaitahu claim has left the Maori a little disappointed.