Sir Maui Pomare Not to be Opposed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 468, 25 September 1928, Page 15

Sir Maui Pomare Not to be Opposed

WESTERN MAORI SEAT MR- TUMATE MAHUTA RETIRES (Special to THE SUN) HUNTLY, Monday. At a conference to-day between representatives of Sir Maui Pomare and Mr. Tumate Mahuta, it was 'agreed that the latter should not contest the Western Maori seat for 'three years. It was on the advice of King Mahuta that this arrangement was made, and at the end of three years Mr. Tumate Mahuta may seek election if he still desires to do so. Considerable disappointment was expressed by the large assemblage of natives at Waahi Pa to-day at the non-arrival of Sir Maui Pomare to address them, owing to Sir Maui’s sudden illness. For some considerable time the natives in the Western Maori electorate have not been satisfied with their representative, laying that he does not keep in close touch with them, and as a result he was invited to corao to Huntly and address them, which ho did about a fortnight ago, n*hen Sir Maui appealed to them to support his candidature in view of impending legislation on behalf of the M&ori race. The suggestion was talked over and the member for the district again left Wellington to hear the final decision, but en route was sent to hospital in Hamilton. Mr. A. .T. Conway (private secretary) and Mr. Taite Tomo a strong supporter of Sir Maui’s came on to Huntly and after a long korero with those assembled, and mainly through the influence of King Kata Mahuta it was decided not to oppose-the sitting mem-

ber. Tumate Mahuta will not therefore contest the seat this year, but is open to stand the following General Election. The Mana of Rata is strong and his people are strong too in loyalty, said a loading native, hence their decision. Tho paramount chicftainess of the Waikato, To Piiea Herangi was also present with an army of supporters for her cousin, Tumate Mahuta and was deeply moved at the decision. “I am very disappointed indeed at the result,” she stated to a Sun reporter, •for Tumate would have won, but we must obey and we were ready to tight.” The decision removes a powerful opponent to the sitting member.

GREY LYNN SEAT MR. HOWSE STANDS DOWN FOR MR. FLETCHER Mr. P. Howse, Liberal candidate for Grey Lynn announced at a m,eeting at Grey Lynn last evening that he would withdraw in favour of the United Party’s candidate, Mr. J. S. Fletcher.

PARNELL SEAT UNITED PARTY CANDIDATE MR. HARRY R. JENKINS Mr. Harry R. Jenkins has been announced as tho official candidate of the United Party to contest the Parnell electorate. The United Party’s candidate for-the Parnell seat conies from an old New Zealand family, both parents having been born in the Dominion. Mr. Jenkins was born and educated in Tara-

naki. In 1916 he came to Auckland and has been very successful in business here. He is the managing director of the Gane Milking Machine Co., and is also a practical farmer. Mr. Jenkins has taken a great interest in social reform and is a director of the Y.M.C.A. and a member of the Rotary Club. He is an enthusiastic golfer and tennis player and was a vice-commo-dore of the Power Boat Association in 1926.

INDEPENDENT’S PLATFORM EGMONT SEAT CANDIDATE Press Association HAWERA, To-day. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, of Eltham, who is contesting tho Egmont seat as an Independent candidate against the Hon. O. J. Hawken, opened his campaign last evening with an address at Auroa. Mr. Wilkinson represented Egmont from 1912 to 1919 as a Reform member. He attacked the Government on the "rounds of high and inequitable taxation, lack of economy, excessive borrowing, interference in business and allowing the control of the Government by officials. On the licensing question lie supported the bare majority with a two-issue ballot paper and the extension pf time between the polls to six years. He reserved the right to associate himself with any party on any Question which might arise, and would support whatever, in his opinion, appeared likely to best serve the common interest.