MAORIS VOTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 269, 13 November 1928, Page 10

MAORIS VOTING.

TO-DAY'S ELECTIONS.

PILGRIMAGE TO CITY.

SEVEN NORTHERN CANDIDATES.

Anyone passing along Customs Street West to-day would realise that something of special interest to the Maoris was happening in the city. The corner near Queen Street presented an old-time appearance. To account for this there were two events, a sitting of the South Auckland Land Court, and, of wider interest, the polling 'in connection with the Maori elections.

For the Northern Maori electorate voting commenced at nine o'clock at the Government Buildings, at the Maori meeting house at Orakei and at the residence of Mr. A. H. Te Mete at Milford. For the Western Maori electorate votes were recorded at Mangere, Pukekohe and Papakura. So far as voting in the city was concerned there was greater interest among the Maoris than there was three years ago. During the forenoon between 40 and 50 votes were cast. Mr. J. Rukutaia acted as deputy-returning officer, and, as is the case with other deputy-officers in the Northern electorate, the returns will be telegraphed to the returning officer (Mr. W. E. Goffe) at Kawakawa, where the result will be announced. In the Maori elections this year there is a new element. It is the entry of Ratanaites as candidates in all four electorates. Supporters of these candidates could be distinguished in the city to-day by means of the metallic badges which they wore, in shape like a crescent and in meaning full of religious symbolism. The Ratanaites are rallying strongly, and so are natives who belong to other political camps. In the Northern Maori electorate there are approximately 4500 voters. '

Candidates are standing in many interests—Government,- Independent, Labour and Independent Labour, United, Katanaites andrepresentatives of the Treaty of Waitangi. The candidates for the four Maori seats are as follow:— northern Maori* Tau Henare* O. Henare Kingi Waiaua .... L Wait. Tamaho Maika „*.. U. Para ire Paikea ftatana. L. W. Parore I. Batana. Ripi Wi Hongi Wait. Hone Heke I.G. Eastern Maori. Sir Apirana Xgata* U. T. P. Stewart L. P. T. T. Moko I. Western Maori. Sir Maui Pomare* G. H. T. Ratana Ratana. Southern Maori. H. W. Urn* G. P. H. McDonald. L. E. T. Tirikatene Ratana. W. T. Pitama I. J. C. T. Tikao G. Tuiti Makiterana U. In a Maori election the process is simple- There are no rolls. Officials state- that it would be impossible to. prepare, A» each Maori enters the polling place the prospective voter is asked for particulars as to name, tribe, snbtribe and rights .of .citizenship. .Any Maori over the age of 21 is eligible to rote, providing no conviction has been recorded in the courts. Th«*e is no balJpt box. The voter indicates for which* candidate the vote is to, be cast, ;ind this is duly recorded. Names of voters are kept -on record and should a Maori attempt to vote at more than one booth there is provision for punishment.

A statement has been published to the effect that Mr. L. W. Parore, nominated as an Independent Katanaite, had withdrawn from the contest, but this was not so. Maoris in the Northern electorate had no less than seven candidates from whom to make their choice. The results of the polling are being awaited with interest.