NO MAORI MEMBERS POSES KNOTTY PROBLEM

Chronicle (Levin), 2 December 1949, Page 6

NO MAORI MEMBERS POSES KNOTTY PROBLEM

WELLINGTON, Dec. 1. ' > One problem to be faced by the Aem. National Government is that of seiectinf a representative in the Executive CoUlifeil to represent the Maori race; With' all f our Maori seats held by Labour, the obvious solution. will be for the National Government to appomt a person in the Legislative Couneil to fill this position in the Exeeutive CounThe member oL the Exeeutive Couneil repxesenting the Maori race in the ^ defeated Cabinet, was Mr E. T. Tirikatene who was also Minister in charge of the Government Printing Office. The constitution of the Exeeutive CbunCil vvh\eh acts|as,advisers to the Governor-General, Sir Bernard I'teyberg, V.C., is laid down in the Civil List Act, 1920. Authority is given by this Act for the appointment of either one or two persons to represent the Maori race. The catch is that they must be either halfcast or full-blooded Maoris and Mr Holland ' has none to choose from. The obvious solution would be for the National Government' to eourt one of the four Maori members whp have been elected but this is completely out of the question. Observers in Wellington consider the National Government would be mosfc unwise to take office without having a member in the Exeeutive Couneil to represent the Maoris who jnight take this as a slight. The present picking in Wellington is' that the " Minister of •Aihori; Affaira Bro.adfoot, present sfenior Opposition whip, with Mr Rangi Mawhe.te, ; a 1 present member of the Legislative-; Cauneif a&fhe National. Government appointee'on r the Exeeutive Couneil1. One headache yet to be faced is what happens, to • this Legislative Couneil member when the National Government proceeds; to abolish or alter the Upper House.