LIQUOR POLL IN KING COUNTRY

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25768, 1 April 1949, Page 3

LIQUOR POLL IN KING COUNTRY

MAORI MAJORITY FOR LICENSING PROPORTION TOO SMALL TO CARRY ISSUE (PA.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Mar. 31. A majority of King Country Maoris voted in favour of licensing for the King Country in the recent referendum but the proportion fell short of the 60 per cent, required by the Licensing Amendment Act of last year. When a deputation headed by King Koroki waited on the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) yesterday, Mr Fraser commented that there was a majority of 23 Maoris against licensing. As it was thought in the King Country that Mr Fraser attached some importance to a majority vote against licensing, the Mayor of Taumarunui (Mr D. H. Hall) to-day telegraphed the Electoral Office for the correct figure. He was informed that in the Maori poll there was a majority of 23 for, not against, licensing. A telegram will 'be sent to Mr Fraser to-morrow by Maoris of the southern King Country drawing attention to what they consider are his conflicting statements to Waikato and Maniopoto Maoris when they met him at Wellington. The southern King Country Maoris will ask him to confirm whether the Government, n’ow that it is known that the majority of Maoris in the King Country voted “wet,” will accede to the wishes of the majority. The final official figures lor the King Country licensing polls are as follows: For Against Majority For Europeans 7737 1844 5893 Maoris 1550 1527 23 To carry licensing a three-fifths majority was required in each poll. On the day of the referendum, the Maori poll preliminary count figures were: for. 1192; against, 1328.