MAORI ELECTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1051, 15 August 1930, Page 13

MAORI ELECTION

MR. PIAHANA ADDRESSES TRIBES AT JUDEA NOW SEVEN CANDIDATES From Our Oicn Correspondent TAURANGA, Today. Following 1 his consent to stand in the interests of the Reform Party as a candidate in the approaching Western Maori election, Mr. 11. 11. Piahana, of Tauranga, addressed a. large assembly of chiefo, elders and members of hapus of the Ngai-Te Rangi tribe at Judea. Mr. Piahana pointed out that since 1868, when the first Maori was elected to Parliament, there liad not been a Tauranga contestant. As the people of the Tauranga district had supported an outside candidate for so many years, it was only fair to expect the support of the district in the election for the seat left vacant by the death of Sir Maui Pom a re. Jt was during the Reform Government that Maori claims and grievances received much consideration.

Under the Treaty of Waitangi, the Maoris were given full charge of their lands, but the properties at all times were to be subject to the jurisdiction of the Crown. In the Tauranga district, 290,000 acres had been confiscated, and, later 240,000 acres returned. According to the Government records, the balance of 50,000 acres had been given to the Crown by the Ngai-Te Rangi tribe. The land given by this tribe had belonged partly to the NgaiTe Ranginui tribe, and, owing to the Reform Party’s work, the latter people had received compensation.

The announced candidates lor the Western Maori seat arc now:—Air. A. 11. te Mete, Tauranga; Mr. Taite te Tomo, Tnupo; Mr. Tumate Mahuta, .TTuntly: Mr. H. TI. Piahana. Tauranga: Mr. P. te H. Jones, Te Kuiti; and the Rev. It. T I*. Haddon, New Plymouth. Mr. R Wakarua, of Waltotara, may also be a candidate.