A Maori Viewpoint

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 November 1949, Page 8

A Maori Viewpoint

Sir, —The Maori people as a whole have been tarred most unsparingly by pakehas with the evil-smelling brush of “Labour" political belief. This smear carries with it the un-uttered acceptance by most pakehas that all Maoris are ardent followers of the “Big White Father,” Pita Pereiha. I wish to point out that the Maori people as a whole are a thinking lot and that some of us have ambitions other than those dedicated to them by “The Big White Father," and his atomic-powered cash register— Mr. Walter Nash. Sad but true, the thinking total is hopelessly outnumbered by those upon whom Mr. Fraser’s pitiless “psychology of fear" has taken effect. Most pakehas do not realise fully the power that lies behind the Ratana Movement, all of which has been “bought" by the Labour Party with promises as empty as the sands from El Alamein to Derna; but then Mr. Fraser wouldn’t know anything about the hardships of the receftt war, or of the one before that—the one he wouldn’t go to. As a Maori, and one of proud descent, it makes by blood boil to see pictures of Mr. Fraser and his eternal “korowai" greeting Maoris with the traditional “hongi." which to me is an insult to the traditions, customs, and usages of my race. I must point out that the team of Maori National candidates is a particularly strong one, comprising men of proven ability and outstanding qualities which have led them to many successes in private life. Lieutenant-Colonel Jimmie Henare, D. 5.0.. National contender for Northern Maori, is a very capable man and was the last commander of the 28th Maori Battalion in Italy. It was he who brought the Battalion safely home, together with their famous Y.M.C.A. mobile canteen, “Tp Rau Aroha.” He was a very popular commander and a very human one. He was educated at Sacred Heart College. Auckland, and later graduated B.A. from Massey College, Palmerston North. He commands wide respect among members of both races and is a brilliant speaker in either Maori or Pakeha. Mr. Turi Carroll, who will contest the Eastern Maori seal, is a brother of the late Sir James Carroll. His good work among his own people and his great personal efforts in initiating Maori rehabilitation on his own land in Wairoa marks him as a man of great public spirit. Our own Joe Marumaru, as everv Maori in this district, will readily admit. has done more for this area from “outside" the House than any Maori member from within. Let. us hope and nray that Western Maoris will see that by putting Mr. Marumaru in they will assure the betterment of their lot. 1 i for one am thoroughly sick and tired

of being told continuously by my pakeha friends that our member may as well be at home tending his flock than in the House. Tired I am because deep down inside me I know that their criticism is destructive but painfully correct. Mr. Bates has the toughest nut to crack in the sitting member for Southern Maori. Let us bear in mind that the returned soldiers down there are wholly behind him. They, like me, heard Mr. Fraser, spouting at Cassino about the “Land of milk of honey” that awaited us back here on our return. I’m sure he meant “Land of milk and funny-money.” Few of the Maori members now in the House inspire confidence or respect and their stony silence in the House leads one to believe (a) that they lack interest in the welfare of their people; (b) that the matters under debate are above their heads; (c) that Walter Nash’s acid drops have paralysed them from the throats up. I may add that in future if you pakehas hire Maori labour that won't labour, do not blame the individual, but rather their “Big White Daddy” who, many years ago, took away all incentive to work. The increased drinking and gambling among my people- you can chalk up to the credit of Nash’s “Funny-Money Factory” which must undoubtedly be the only establishment that, work 25 hours a day, and eight days a week. In conclusion, I will borrow from that famous American statesman (with variation), and say that “Labour can fool some of the Maoris all the time; all the Maoris some of the lime, but not. all the Maoris all the time. The Labour Party will find the truth of this statement for themselves on the morning of December 1.--I am, etc., TE HIKOI WHAKAMUA, Wanganui.