A MISSING M.P.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 97, 4 September 1908, Page 2

A MISSING M.P.

Where is Mr. Kaihau. For the greater part of last session the member for the Western Maori district (Mr Henare Kaihau) was absent from his place in the House, and as far as the present session is concerned he has not yet deigned to honour the chamber with his presence. His neglect of his Parliamentary duties drew a sharp rebuke form a fellow Native member} Mr Parata, on Thursday afternoon, in speaking on a Native Bill which dealt with land in Mr Kaihau's distirct. Mr Parata commented on the prolonged absence of the member for the Western District. "I, and ojher members," he said, "are here every day, attending to the business of the Dominion, and looking after the interests of the Maori race, but I wish to draw the attention of the House and the country to the fact that whilst the hon. member for the Western Maori District was returned to look after the "nterests of his constituents, he is continually staying away and neglecting bis duty. This has been going on for years. If I was absent for a week or a fortnight my constituents would call my attention to it." ) Mr Parata added that although the ban. member was not present, he waß ' drawing his honorarium. "It is time," he said, "tnat the House paid/ attention to the hon. member's neglect of duty."