MAORIS EXPECT THAT COMING ELECTION WILL CREATE WIDER INTEREST

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 August 1949, Page 4

MAORIS EXPECT THAT COMING ELECTION WILL CREATE WIDER INTEREST

The development of an obvious clash in Maori political affairs might have an even greater effect on European politics tlian the position which developed after the last General Election, said Mr. O. Hadden, of Wellington, a prominent man in Maori affairs, in an interview.

"The realisation of the strong position held by the four Maori Members of Parliament as the balance of power in pakeha politics, made apparent through the introduction of the land sales and licencing bills, has given the Maori people, as a whole, a clearer conception of the true significance of the term ‘balance of power’ and the relative value if it had been applied," said Mr Hadden. He doubted if the loyalty shown by the Ratana Movemennt toward the Labour Party in recent years would be sustained. The . prophetic utterances of the founder, the iate Mr. T. W. Ratana, were being discussed. His statement that the lour posts of the Rau po whare would sustain for a short time the centre post of Parliament Buildings clearly predicted a Maori balance of power fulfilling a delinite political programme within a specified term.

"Outside of the Ratana Movement, greater demands for compensation for confiscated lands, the administration of Maori trust funds, the organisation and personnel of trust boards and tribal committes indicated the growing unrest among the tribes in the various electorates,” said Mr. Hadden. Th e attempt to organise the Maori race by legislation through the new. order of the Maori Social and Economic Act seemed doubtful. An obvious cleavage was discernible between, those prepared to think and act the way tlie Government wanted and the majority who acted and thought in the Maori way. To the latter, the tribal committees, welfare officers, district boundaries and wardens represented regimentation and pakena ideas ot control and direction. In the West Maori electorate, opposition to the settlement of claims lor confiscated lands made in 1946-47 between the Government and the delegates oi the Waikato and King Country was growing stronger. Instead oi annual payments of X5OOO in perpetuity plus xouuu on tne passing of the act and £lOOO a year lor 4a years, the basis oi the settlement reached, the tribal leaders of the 48 sun-tribes ot Waikato and Maniopoto at a meeting recently demanded 142,000 annually in perpetuity based on principal and interest on lands conuscated. Tlie action of the Government in, setting up the Tainui Trust Board was denounced, it being stated that the majoiity of the WaiKato Maoris were not consulted, said Mr. Hadden. It was asserted tiiat the board and the 19i6 act were unconstitutional and caused an infringement of the principles ot the Kaunanganui and tne Mana-motukake a te Kingitanga an established semi- political movement which aimed at the protection of the absolute rights of tlie Maori people. this indicates that the greater majority of the interested Maoris regard their own traditional organisations as the right and proper ones to adminitter funds to wnica they regard themselves justly entitled," said Mr. HadAs the Kauhanganui and manamotuhake movements comprised 50000 Maoris representing most parts of New Zealand, it was envious that the existing unrest was not confined to a disgruntled lew, said Mr. Hadden mpni’T K years the Rulana Mov e : X h H S been 100 pCr cent lo yal to the Labour Government. Now that cm Kauhanganui movement has emciged a powerful felt wing of tlie Ratana organisation to challenge Government decisions, Maori political mfvwtT, a ? d tbe Maori Effies m- Ip r 1 ok 10rvvai 'd to an interesting election campaign,” he concluded. Visit to Mountain. Iwenty-five members of the Wanganui Junior Highland Pipe Band paid a visit to Dawson Falls on Mount Bgrnont during tlie week-end. The party left Wanganui early on Saturday morning by bus and arrived back in the city late last night. The weatner on the mountain was wet but members of the party enjoyed their week-end.