Mr Corbett was a regular visitor at the meetings of the Maori Women's Welfare League. This picture is from the Auckland conference of 1955. The people are: on his left Mrs Iriaka Ratana, M.P., on his right Mrs Whina Cooper, M.B.E.; behind him Mr P. K. Paikea, M.P., and Mr J. te Herekeikie Grace, M.V.O. (Hill-Thomas Photograph) nett. Pointing to it he said, with great emphasis: with which he chose those needs. In many ways he improved the lot of young Maoris going to the cities. His insistence on the control of liquor led to a continual strengthening of the army of Maori wardens whose work compensated in a far healthier way for the earlier restrictions. Some controversies in which he took part obscured the fact that he was fundamentally a man with a deep loyalty to the past, to his own background in Taranaki, and also to the cultural heritage of the Maori people. When money was to be spent on a Maori dictionary, or the recording of ancient songs or the carving of a meeting house, Mr Corbett supported it. He had the Maori Affairs Committee room in Parliament Buildings decorated in traditional style. He often said that to develop fully a man had to love the land and his cultural heritage. In the Maori heritage he was particularly impressed with the great leaders, such as Ngata and Buck. One day looking through copy of Te Ao Hou he singled out a photograph of Sir Apirana Ngata, Sir Peter Buck and Bishop Ben- ‘This is good material for your magazine.’ Mr Corbett derived tremendous satisfaction from the achievements of the Maori Women's Welfare League. He believed women are achieving wonderful things. ‘It is God's task they are engaged in’, he said, ‘giving the children an anchor. Maori women deserve all the more credit for they often labour under tremendous difficulties with large families, sometimes with added burdens through poor housing or isolation’. With the foundation President of the League, Mrs Whina Cooper, M.B.E., he maintained a close friendship. Mrs Cooper was at times a ferocious critic in pressing her demands, but at the same time she was his trusted confidant. For he admired her tremendous character. On the eve of his retirement she sent him the following telegram: ‘Though far away my arohanui to you both… Through your greatness and loyal support leagues reached heights. You were my rough diamond friend. Once again I thank you. May God bless you both and enjoy the rest. Will meet again, Whina’.