THE MAORI ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2368, 8 December 1908, Page 7

THE MAORI ELECTIONS.

PRESS OPINIONS.

Both Christchurch papers, dealing ■with tho Maori elections, arrive at practically the same conclusion. The “Pre&s” says that “the election of the four Maori members" of Parliament failed as usual to stir the slightest ripple of interest on the part of the general public. 'There would hJave been some genuine regret if Mr Ngata had not secured re-election, because he is recognised as an admirable representative of the 'young Maori inirty’ whose aims and influence iare all tor tho betterment of their race But, apart from Mr Ngata, whose case is an exceptional one, we very much doubt if the average white elector cares twopence who the (Maori members are.” The reasons for this, the “Press” thinks, are that in a largo portion of tho colony the Maori lives his life apart front the white ffnan, and that the Maori members through lack of force of character and their abstention from taking a share in any but Maori legislation, & at'llfiMil^ r V from tht ' public. I b ‘? t . J “«feP rese utation Act • iac ast some effect in breaking dspjig Maori prejudices cun hardly bo B uoubted, but it is open to quesxioix -hetuier *fcliG> jVil cxori-nicmbers 1 r wlio have sat in tlie House during the past forty years have added much to the sum of political wisdom. Mr Pa rati said the other dav that if “No Maoris were- in tlie House much injurious legislation would be passed unintentionally of course, to the injury of Maoris, and that Maori members would be able to iidvise and guide Parliament on Native matters.” “We are afraid,” adds the “Press,” “that he over-estimates tlie- influence that he and his fellow Native members exert. We cannot imagine Parliament being guided to any perceptible extent by their speeches, though they may occasionally throw a little light on Maori land questions. We think tho time *is coming when sop?.!rate representation should be abolished. Tlie whoue tendency of our policy is to bring the Maori up t-o the level of the European, and as the older generation of Maoris passes awuy any need that still exists for Maori members will also disappear. They will have served a purpose, but tbit purpose will exist no longer.” The “Times” discusses more particularly the election results, hut concludes by saying that there can be no doubt that the time is rapidly .approaching when the Maoris will bo able to safely dispense with any special electoral privileges. Under a system of proportional -representation, the Maoris would retain lat least two of their present members, and would hare the additional advantage of exercising an effective voice in the election of the European representatives.