WESTERN MAORI SEAT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 358, 6 May 1911, Page 5

WESTERN MAORI SEAT.

DR. POMARE AND MR. EKETONE TO STAND. Dr Pomare, of the Health Department (Native Branch) was in Te Kiuti on Thursday, lie is residing his official position as health oHicer in about six weeks time, and intends to contest the Western Maori seat against Mr Henare Kaihnu. Some considerable oppoition to modem hygienic practice has been evident amongst the Maoris, ami it is supposed to have been engineered by the older school of Natives, of which Mr Kaihau is regarded a-i a leader. At all events, thin in one of the causes for Dr Pormuv's decision, and he further considers that his intimacy With, and knowledge of, the Natives, makes the time ripe for political Change. The I'ake'n.a spirit, too, involving sanitation and higher standards of living, must pievail, in the doctor's opinion, and tnis is encouaging him to contest the seat. The dominance of the present '*Mnhuta" spirit must come to an end. he thinks, and the tend of events has encouraged Dr Pomare to resign his civil position j in order to assist his Maori brethren to uplift their standards, and live a j higher, better, and more active lite. j Mr Pepetie Kketone, of To Kuiti. j Who contested, the seal at the last general election, will niso be a candi- j date. He complains, too, of the j dominating imiuciieo of Mahuta, scat- j ing the old Maori custom:! are given j such prominence thai the elderly Natives have an overwhelming inilii- j ence over the younger men. I