Politicians

Tu Tangata, Issue 3, 1 November 1981, Page 2

Politicians

Electoral apartheid? Or a necessary and unique part of New Zealand's political system? The three major political parties don't agree on which view to take of the Maori seats.

“The Maori seats have a special significance in our Parliament,” says Justice Minister Jim McLay.

“The Maori have historically been guaranteed 4 seats in Parliament, and those guarantees are as relevant today as when they were first given more than a hundred years ago.”

Labour’s shadow Maori Affairs Minister, Koro Wetere, agrees.

“Maori opinion has hardened over the retention of the seats. There would be very few people talking about the abolition of them now.

“Maoris look upon these seats as a way of airing their views, and to try to rectify the wrongs of yesteryear. It’s going to be some years before that process is finished.”

Seats unnecessary

But Social Credit advocates eliminating the Maori seats altogether.

Socred leader Bruce Beetham says the Maori seats would be unnecessary under proportional representation which would be introduced if Social Credit becomes the government.

Beetham advocates larger electorates with more than one Member of Parliament per electorate.

“We believe,” says Beetham, “that proportional representation would provide the Maori people with an end to the discrimination which is involved in separate representation.

‘Yet they could have their group interest represented if that’s what they wish because under proportional representation any significant interest group will be proportionally represented.”

Maori option

Even National and Labour, which agree the Maori seats should con-