PM rejects Treaty 'article four'

By AUDREY YOUNG

The Government has firmly rejected any suggestion it will allow the so-called "article four" of the Treaty of Waitangi to influence treaty settlements.

Prime Minister Helen Clark dismissed questions about it yesterday saying: "Never heard of it."

Then during question time in the House, Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson said the Government would not allow it to influence treaty settlements.



National leader Bill English raised the issue after discovering that reference to a "fourth article" had been included in a Ministry of Health document Achieving Health for All People.

The article is said to be based on a discussion on February 6 1840 between Catholic Bishop Pompallier and Governor Hobson and resulted in a verbal guarantee of religious freedom.

Mr English believes an official acceptance of a fourth article could lead to state protection for Maori spiritual beliefs over others'.

He has challenged Helen Clark to direct public servants not to refer to it in documents.

But Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia said Mr English should "focus on the issues that are confronting their party instead of bashing Maori people".