MAORIS WANT THEIR FREEHOLD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 89, 17 April 1946, Page 4

MAORIS WANT THEIR FREEHOLD

FEAR OF NATIONALISATION (0.C.) Marton, April 16. "One of the main reasons why the Maori is supporting the National Party in increasing numbers to-day, is that he has every chance of maintaining the freehold of his lands,” said Mr. H. Marumaru, Maori representative on the Dominion executive of the National Party, speaking to the annual electorate meeting of the party in Marton to-day. “Freehold is the footstool of Maori individuality,” he said.

"Disinheritance is not on your programme,” added Mr. Marumaru, "but if the Labour Party is left in, complete nationalisation will surely creep in.” Provided the policy of the party was submitted early and branches organised in a proper way, Mr. Marumaru felt confident that the National Party would regain two of the Maori seats—the South Island and Eastern Maori, Sir Apirana Ngata having already consented to nomination as a candidate in the East. The National Party could not start with the four Maori seats against it, and the electoral boundary changes had aggravated the position. To win the Maori seats it was necessary to put plenty of vim into the organisation and he asked the meeting to lecommend the election of a Maori delegate to the general committee. An appeal to Europeans, when discussing politics with Maoris, to discuss them intelligently and not jokingly, was made by Mr. Marumaru. “Maori politics must go hand in hand with the pakeha, and my purpose is to bring before the Maori people the political situation of today,” he said. “Not all the Maoris are drawing social security,” said Mr. Marumaru, amid laughter, “although it is being said that a great deal of money is being wasted on the Maori people.” Mr. T. Bennett, who is working with Mr. Marumaru, also addressed the meeting, and was of the opinion that the more intelligent Maori was behind the National Party.