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Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1932, Page 4

In connection with the Amending Bill to brought down in the House of Representatives this week it is understood that it will include changes in the system of Maori representation in Parliament. At the present time there are four Maori members, but it is known that the Government is making inquiries into the whole system and’ will consider the question of •alterations. Dissatisfaction with the working of the Electoral Act as far as Maori elections are concerned has been fairly general, especially in certain quarters in the North Island. As an example the en.se of the Western Maori electorate has been quoted. Here 7793 votes were cast nt Inst general election as compared with 917 for the Southern Maori, where there wa9 a keenly contested poll, in which it is believed .almost every Maori cast h'rs or her vote. There are no electoral rolls for Maori electorates and the only records available are those of the general election. These show - that" Western Maori is the largest electorate, Eastern with 7099 voters is next, Northern, with 5630, third, and Southern a very poor fourth. Already the new 7,v--elected member for the Southern Mi .ori district, M,r Tirikatene, has given notice of a question asking for an overhaul, of the Act, especially in regard to the sys+em of voting. It is almost universally recognised that there are many difficulties in the conduct of Maori elections and that several anomalies appear in the Act. One c,oparent d' fect is that the Chatham Islands which: for European purposes .are part of Lyttelton electorate, are portion of Western Maori, a North Island seat, for the purposes of Maori elections. Added emphasis is given to this when it is recognised that Western Maori is the largest Maori electorate and Southern Maori is the smallest. The result of the Government’s consideration is being awaited with interest.