"TWO GUESSES."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 165, 18 December 1914, Page 4

"TWO GUESSES."

MR. TAU IIENARE'S POSITION TOLL SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT BUT NOT PLEDGED. By Telegraph.—Per Presa Association. Auckland, Last Night. An interesting despatch lias been received from the Herald's iKawakawa correspondent with reference to the attitude of Tan Henare, political reprosen tafcive of the Northern Maori district] concerning whom there are many enquiries. During the last few days Tau Henare has received great numbers of letters and telegrams from men in prominent places, hut lie has declined to make anv definite announcement. Several Taiama chiefs assert that they supported. Tan because they believed he would support Sir Joseph Ward, and they now demand that ho declare himself within a week. Other influential natives have telegraphed to Tau, suggesting a conference of eight tribal representatives, to decide, what party he will support, hut Tau only replied, "Call to your mind the saying of our ancestors, 'lf the karaka berry is eaten too soon, it makes one drunk.' " Several 'Whangarei gentlemen telegraphed Tau, asking whether he supported Mr. Massey or Sir Joseph Ward. He replied, with all courtesy, that lie would allow them two guesses. A movement is on foot to present a petition against the election of Tau, on the ground that at several places there were no European returning officers, and that at one place the booth was not even open. The correspondent, after remarking that this morning Tau Henare was deluged with correspondence, and, hearing a rumour that the Opposition organiser was in the district, had left on a visit to the bush in the back.blocks, proceeds: "In the course of an interview with the Herald correspondent, Tau said that lie was not pledged to either party, hut his general inclination was to support the present Government on a want-of-confidence motion. He would not he party man. He would represent the Northern Maoris, many of whom were on either side He was not a plaything, to be bound to Mr Massey's pocket, -or to Sir Joseph Ward's pocket, and ho was not a dog to respond to the crack of the party whip."