LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1044, 7 November 1947, Page 3

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

SUPPORT FOR MAORI CANDIDATES LEGISLATIVE ANOMALY (Contributed.) The new move to have, two Maori representatives on the Hospital Board appears to have met with the warm approval of all sections of the community of the Opotiki district. --

Two sound candidates have been nominated. It is apparently this modest bid for two Maoris-as representatives, together with the pakeha. that has commended itself to everyone. It is an encouraging sign in the district. The’ Maori people are holding out the hand of fellowship : for. a /share in the ad-* ministration of hospital and district affairs. Their slogan is “We worked together in battle —let us work together in peace".. In a district where many of the patients and staff are Maoris, a combination Board with Pakelia and Maori representatives giving of their best in the interests of both races is the vision . which, can be translated into reality on 'polling day. v - | More significent still is the recognition of the fact that for the-fu-ture days in this fair country Maori and Pakeha can work together for the common good.

By a curious anomaly in the new legislation, designed. to extend the franchise in local body elections, a large number of Maori residents are actually debarred from voting at all on this occasion because the Maori. Parliamentary Electoral Roll has not yet been compiled. (Those on the County Roll are eligible to vote, and are being encouraged to vote for both Maori and Pakeha candidates.) Although somewhat disappointed at the effect of this strange anomaly, the Maori folk are not unduly worried. They have confidence that many Pakeha electors will vote for the two Maori candidates. They realise that the anomaly will be adjusted in time. This election provides an opportunity for Opotiki to give a lead and pursue a policy in practical co-op-eration. This is their opportunity to encourage the Maori people of this district in their willingness to accept the equal responsibilities of citizenship. It should be good business for the hospital. It should be good business for racial relationships.