SOUTHERN MAORI BY-ELECTION.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20612, 30 July 1932, Page 16

SOUTHERN MAORI BY-ELECTION.

COALITION CANDIDATE. CAMPAIGN WELL ADVANCED. Mr W. T. Parata, official Coalition candidate in, the by-election in the Southern Maori electorate, has established a remarkable performance in covering so thoroughly the length jfhd breadth of the South Island, whose shores alone represent the boundaries of the electorate. Since Tuesday of this week he has conducted nearly ten meetings, and in his tour from the Bluff to past Nelson in a fortnight he has addressed thirty meetings. Districts thoroughly covered so far include Southland, Otago, and the northern part of the Island. At present Mr Parata is covering Canterbury, working south, and when he was interviewed in Christchurch yesterday by a representative of The Press he said that in the course of his campaign he had been grateful for the splendid hearing he had been accorded at each meeting place. He has been accompanied by Mr John McDonald, brother of the late member for the seat, during the northern section of the tour. Mr Parata stated that at all times he had avoided personalities, and the support shown at meetings was greater than he had anticipated. Meetings in Canterbury so far had been at Tuahiwi, Taumutu, Little River, Port Levy, Lyttelton, and Eapaki. The policy Mr Parata adheres to is that of tho Coalition Government, and the main planks in his platform are, he said, the adequate provision for the Maori people as far as unemployment relief is concerned, so that they may secure as fair a deal as the European. It had been found in several cases that they had got the worst of the deal. Tho ample provision for the older people of the Maori race was also a special point of his policy. Tho native people were entitled to certain rights and privileges under treaty, and he considered it was necessary to see that such promises were fulfilled and fulfilled liberally. . A supporter of Mr Parata explained in regard to criticism that the candidate had talked of football that Mr Parata was known among his own people and among the Europeans as "the father of Maori football." In the sport he had made a name on the administrative side also, and during liis campaign many offers of assistance had been received from Rugby Union officials in the South Island. The election takes place next Wednesday. Meeting Last Night. Mr "Parata addressed a most successful and enthusiastic meeting last night in tho Rugby Union rooms. Mr A. E.' McPhail, president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, presided as a compliment to Mr Parata for his interest in Rugby matters. Mr J. McDonald, of Marlborough, brother of the late Mr Tuiti Makitanara, M.P., spoke in support of the candidates Mr Parata replied to the remarks of Mr Bragg, Independent Reform candidate, regarding the Native Minister, Sir Apirana Ngata. -He said that Sir Apirana Ngata had sacrificed a brilliant legal career for the benefit of his Maori people, and was doing wonderful work for them. . Messrs S. F. Wilson, G. Payne, and H. G. Livingstone also addressed* the meeting. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. MR MIHAKA WITHDRAWS FROM CONTEST. (tiiCIAL TO THE MESS. I TIMARU, July 29. "Sincerely believing that it is in the best interests of the Maoris of tlie South Island to support the Coalition Government, I have decided to withdraw from the forthcoming by-election for the Southern Maori seat in favour of Mr Ned Parata, the official Coalition candidate," said *Mr Wiremu Mihaka to a Pkess reporter today. In doing so, he®earnestly urged his followers to transfer their support unreservedly to Mr Parata. Mr Mihaka leaves to-morrow for Colac Bay, Southland, to begin a campaign on Mr Parata's behalf.'