POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 185, 3 February 1912, Page 4

POLITICAL.

DR. POMAKE'S POSITION AS 1 AN M.P. Seen by a Daily News representative yesterday at a gathering of Maoris which he had just addressed on the political situation, Dr Pomare, JO., declined to say anything regarding -the'statements which have appeared in the Press as to the legality or otherwise of his election for the Western Maori 'electoral district. According to another prominent nath# at the ' korero in the; person of Mr. Waata Hipango (of Williams), of Wanganui, so far as the Waitotara and Wanganui Maoris knew the matter had been dropped. "The agitators," hj», added, "have found out to their dismay that they have been barking up the wrong tree. They cannot .prove that Dr. Pomare's father or mother were .no 4 half-caste Chatham Islanders. The doetor is a half-caste Maori of New Zealand and therefore under the Act, as half-castes ■ in the' eye of the law ar# classed as Maoris, the election of Dr. Pomare is perfectly legal. If it were not so then Dr. Buck and Mr. Parata would both have to forfeit their seats, as they are also half-caste. Mr. Hipangi added that the Maoris at the. meeting were practically all in accord with Dr. Pomare.

Dr. Pomare will address meetings of natives at Pntiki (near Pihama), tomorrow, at Wflnganui, on Wednesday, and at Jerusalem on Thursday, and deal with the political situation.