“A DISSERVICE”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 February 1934, Page 7

“A DISSERVICE”

CRITICISM OF MAORI AFFAIRS. Relations With Pakeha. NO UNFRIENDLINESS BETWEEN TWO RACES. Per Press Association. ROTORUA, February 19. The opinion that persons or newspapers who were creating the impression that there was unfriendliness in the relations between the pakeha and Maori were doing a very grave disservice to the country was expressed, by the prime Minister (Mr Forbes) in the course of an interview. Mr Forbes referred particularly to an a. tide which appeared recently in a weekly paper criticising the speech made by Sir Apirana Ngata at Waitangi, and which stated that' the manner in which this newspaper had dealt with the speech was “ an absolute distortion of the facts.” Friendliness at Waitangi. “ The aticle was calculated to create the impression that there is an’atmosphe j of unfriendliness between the two races, which certainly does not exist,” said Mr Forbes. “ Throughout the proceedings at Waitangi the utmost friendliness prevailed, and so far as Sir Apirana Ngata was concerned no one could have taken a more reasonable attitude.” Statements which implied that the pakeha communit- regarded the activities on Native lands schemes with an unfriendlv eye, had also been made, Mr Forbes continued, and he considered that these were likely to create a very harmful impression. He had recently interviewed Princess Te Puea, one of the pioneers of Native land settlement, and she had told him that she was absolutely disheartened over the attitude that had been taken towards the Maori by the newspaper in question. Ke was glad to be able to assure her that the opinions expressed were not those cf the Government, nor, he felt, of the people of New Zealand as a whole. / “ I have had an opportunity of following what is being done on Native land schemes.” said Mr Forbes, “ and I have nothing but admiration for the way* in which the Natives have done their best to merit the support that had been given them to enable them to farm and develop their lands.” Sir Apirana Ngata and other leaders of the Maori race, Mr Forbes stated, were doing very valuable work in endeavouring to encourage the Maori to farm his land-? but they were seriously handicapped by statements which served t discourage the Natives themselve- “ It should not be forgotten,” said Ml Forbes, “that the unemployment schemes which provide work for those out of employment suit the requirements of the Maori who desires an easy life. Deserving of Support. On one hand Sir Apirana Ngata and others leaders of the race are endeavouring to persuade their countrymen to lead a harder life in developing their land, and, on the other hand, we have the drag of relief schemes luring them awav to an easier existence by joining the ranks of the unemployed. These people deserve every support, because, if the Maori once becomes discouraged, he is likely to fall back on relief schemes. If that happens, I feel that the country may face a very serious Native problem indeed.” In conclusion Mr Forbes paid a tribute to the work done on the Native land development schemes in the Rotorua district. He had seen no examples of loose expenditure, concerning which complaints had been made. On the contrary, he considered that the Natives were making the limited funds available go a very long way.