MAORI ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 443, 5 December 1908, Page 3

MAORI ELECTIONS.

Mr Hone.Heke has been elected for the Northern Maori District; Mr Apirani Ngata for the Eastern; Mr Tame Parata by a narrow margin for the Southern, aud Mr Heixare Kaihau for the Western.

Christchurch papers, dealing with the Maori elections, arrive at practically the same conclusion. The Press 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 have been some genuine regret if Mr Ngata had not secured re-election, because he is recognised as an admirable representative of the ‘ young Maori party ’ whose aims and influence are all for the 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 large portion of the colony the Maori lives his life apart from the white man, and that the Maori members, through lack of force of character and their abstention from taking a share in any but Maori legislation, attract little notice from the public. That the Maori representation Act had in years past some effect in breaking down Maori prejudices can hardly be doubted, but it is open to question whether the Maori members who have sat in the House during the past forty years have added much to the sum of political wisdom. Mr Parata said the other day that if “ No Maoris were in the House much injurious legislation would be passed, unintentionally of course, to the injury of Maoris, and that Maori members would be able to advise and guide Parliament on Native matters.” “We are afraid,” adds the Press, that he over-estimates the influence that he and his fellow Native members exert. We cannnot 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 the -time is fast coming when separate representation should be abolished. The whole tendency of our policy is to bring the Maori up to the level of the European, and as the older generation of Maoris passes away any need .that still exists for Maori members will also disappear. They will have served a purpose, but that purpose will exist no longer.” The Times discusses more particularly the election results, but concludes by saying that there can be no doubt that the time is rapidly approaching when the Maoris will be able to safely dispense with any special electoral privileges. Under a system of proportional representation, the Maoris would retain at least two of their present members, and would have the additional advantage of exercising an effective voice in the election of the European representatives.