SIDELIGHTS ON VOTING

Chronicle (Levin), 11 March 1949, Page 5

SIDELIGHTS ON VOTING

Press Association)

(Per

AUCKLAND, Mareh 10. The .Maoris in thd King Country received the result of the jPolling on liquor with mixed feelings. They cotx tend the fignres do not . give a fadjpicture of Maori opinion. The following statement was issued today by the Maori King Countr) ■Sacred Pact Committee whose head.quarters are at Te Kuiti: — "The Maori leaders • a.re gratified that no-lieence 'in the King Country has been sustained, but are convinced that the polling booth no-iieenee fignres as reported do not correctly rep'resent the full strength of the support for .the no-licence pact. They, therefore, im mediately, following their usual method of asking for expressions of opinion at tribal meetings and in signed statements, made a careful eheck which already shows: (1) Many Maoris refused to vote as they considered the poll an insult to the sacred pact; ($) a section not educated in pakeha ways | was seriously confused by having four different issues placed before them ■ in one handful of papers; (3) at many places the Maoris had to vote at pakebn booths. This innovation was introduced without the usual explanation and was a serious matter for the older Maorxs in particular. It should be. remembered that at present there - are about 6U0 Maoris,- casual workers, who belong to outside tribes temporarily resident in the King Country."