SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20587, 1 July 1932, Page 10

SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT.

COMING BY-ELECTION. MR NED PARATA THE OFFICIAL CANDIDATE. ■ I (PRESS ASSOCIATION TSLSaRAit ) WELLINGTON, June 30. The vacancy in the representation ot the Southern Maori District, owing to the death of Mr T. Makitanara, necessitates a by-election at an early date. Mr Makitanara was a supporter of the United Pirty, and on the formation of the Coalition Government, he was the official Government candidate for the seat. Before leaving for Ottawa, the lit. Hon. J. G. Cortes had intimated that the amenities of the political situation would bo observed, and that full support would be given the candidate selected by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minirter now announces that Mr Ned Parata, son of Mr Tame Paj-ata, who for so long represented the district, will be the official Government candidate. Mr Parata is a national figure, and the father of Maori Rugby football. He was educated at Te Aute College, and for many years was in business at Rotorua. His business and sports connexions in both Islands have given him an insight into the requirements of his own people, besides qualifying liim to regard their problems from more than a parochial standpoint. The Parata family has, moreover, always taken a deep interest in politics and in the affairs of the Maori race. Mr Ned Parata should have a wider anpenl than the tpecial interests of the South Island Maoris. MR TE A. PITAMA APPROACHED BY LABOUR PARTY,. Mr Te A. Pitama, of Tuahiwi, who is visiting Ashburton, has been approached by the National organisation of the Labour Party, to stand as a Labour candidate for the Southern Maori byelection. To a representative of The Press at Ashburton last evening, Mr Pitama said that he was engaged in Church work at present, and would not decide until he had talked the matter over with the Bishop of Christchureh,