NORTHED MAORI SEAT

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 May 1914, Page 3

NORTHED MAORI SEAT

THE WAHINE TAKES A HAND IN SELECTING A MAN

TAU HENARE WITH SOME

WHITE IN HIS EYE

THE Ngapuhi Komiti Wahine has chosen the candidate it will support for the Northern Maori seat at the Parliamentary election in November. Tau 'Henare will walk the rocky road of candidature cheered by the smile of approbation from the softer sex of his tribe.

In proper deference to their lords and masters the members of the Komiti Wahine sat in their corner of the hall at the Otiria hui and listened to the tedious succession of speeches that flowed from the men folk. Patiently they bore it all Friday, but by mid-day on Saturday even their patience was exhausted, so when there, was talk of an adjournment Patari arose in her indignation, scornfully telling the men they talked in a circle and would never come to a conclusion She said the women's patience was exhausted, and they would go and select a candidate themselves. So the Komite Wahine left the hall in a body. This unlooked for turn in events rather disconcerted the eleven candidates who were reclining at one side of the hall, and the lieutenant of one boding no good to his candidate in this latest move, urged his man to object; this he did unavailingly most of the men appearing satisfied to let the women decide a matter they had been unable to agree on.

The women returned to the hall in about half-an-hour, and the lieutenant, whose man'had made a fruitless objection to the women deliberating on the question of a candidate, squirmed in and out amongst the women pouring into their ears the many manly qualities of his man. But the women only shook their heads and gave him the sfcony stare. Several times Parati started up to announce the result of the women's deliberations, but smilingly subsided as trie chairman waved her down. The candidate who knew well the women had not him on their list was vigorously protesting against their being heard.

At last P atari's chance came. Springing to her feet, with head thrown back and flashing eye, looking straight, at the objector, she announced that the women had decided to give their support to Tau Henare. They had discussed the height and the breadth and depth of the matter.

"He is a relation of yours," interjected the objector.

This further roused the spirited Patari.

"He is not," she exclaimed, with dramatic gesture. "We weighed all you men in the balance, your comings and goings we considered, and ' Tau we selected and will stand by." Then throwing off her shoulder wrap and springing into the open Patari sang a song telling them to prepare the canoe and have it ready launched on the waters against the day of trial. Told them in forceful and fine speech, full of wonderful imagery, that the women had carefully considered the matter, and would weave the Parliamentary mat for ■Tau Henare, they would see him sent to Poneke.

The rest of the men heard the oration in silence. Tau, with an air of detachment, looked at a fly on the ceiling. And the mischievous maidens of the hui, so. tb t ?ir nero could hear them! said " Soft and sweet is the voice of Tau Henare, alluring the eyes of Tau Henare, no wonder the Komiti Wahine chose him to go to Poneke." —" Luminary."