THE MAORI ELECTIONS.

Otaki Mail, 1 December 1922, Page 3

THE MAORI ELECTIONS.

The Maori elections, which take place on Wednesday, will no doubt attract I much interest locally, and also through- • out the whole Dominion. In glancing | over the nominations it will be seen ' that of the four present members three I are Reformers, namely, Sir Maui Po- I marc (AVestern Maori) Mr Tau Henaro I (Northern), Mr H. Uru (Southern), and one Liberal-Labour, the Hon. A. T. |

Ngata (Eastern Maori). The seats of the above-mentioned members are, on the whole, regarded as safe, but a keen contest is expected between Sir Maui Pomare (Reform) and Toko Ratana (Independent) for the Western seat, and no doubt the fight between these two candidates will arouse special interest and bo unique in the history of Maori politics. The Liberal candidate (Mr Rangi Moffatt) has not been considered to any great extent, and his stand has been regarded generally its playing into the hands of young Ratana. Another aspirant in the political field is Mr T. Pateue. an old unsuccessful contestant for the seat. His candidature was not known until the eleventh hour. However, it was rumoured early last month, during the recent festive celebrations held at Ratana, that lie was likely to contest the scat, he stating there that he would be the "horse" to take Toko Ratana into the House. He has been and is a staunch supporter of the faith-healer (Wircinu Ratana) and it is generally regarded in political circles that the stand he has made is merely to endeavour to split. the votes of the Reform candidate. Unfortunately for him he has come on the scene rather late, moreover it is not likely that any of Sir M. Pomare 's supporters will throw in their lot for a follower and disciple of the .Ratana party. Nevertheless, the Reformers are confident of the final issues and the split the Liberal candidate (Mr Moffatt) may possibly make in their ranks will be quite local. On the other baud the Ratanaites are most confident with regard to their young idol, and their confidence has already caused them to rejoice as much as if victory had been theirs when the faith-healer announced quite recently that "To Tamaiti nei" (meaning his >ou Toko) waul..', get into the Hom-e without fail. These speculations and pronounced keennes:- will naturally create till the elements of a stirring political struggle between the two candidates. It will only end when the final numbers are up. Whether there tire any "surprise packets" in stove for any of the present Maori member.- in the House remains to be seen, and it i-. anticipated that a record poll will be taken, particularly in the Western electorate. Locally, there seems to be no doubt that Sir Maui Pomare will head the list in Otaki. as the majority of the Natives here are opposed to the doctrines and political tactics displayed by the Ratanaites, moreover, young Ratana is regarded as being politically weak and inexperienced, and will solely rely on the dictates of his father and his followers, as against a strong trustworthy and tried man, The Horn A. T. Ngata (LiberalLabour) has al>o a Ratana nominee opposing him for the Eastern Maori seat in the name of Mr Taranaki K. Mamairangi, and a keen contest is anticipated there. However, from reports to hand his seat is considered by tho Liberals as safe. It is quite obvious that the Ratana party, in conjunction with the faith-healer and the whirlwind fame which he established for himself throughout the Dominion, are striving most "strenuously to attain political honours and to be styled the guardians, guides, and philosophers of the Maori race. It is the opinion of a large section of the Natives that"" Ratanaism will sooner or later collapse, and there is no doubt whatever, should young Ratana be defeated at the polls nest Wednesday the so-called prestige and mana of his father will bo at stake, and undoubtedly fade into comparative insignificance as quickly as he rose to fame.