MAORI SEATS IN PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27426, 12 August 1954, Page 3

MAORI SEATS IN PARLIAMENT

MAIN ROLLS CLOSE NEXT TUESDAY (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 11. Maori electors have only until the close of business on August 17 (next Tuesday) to make sure they are on the main roll for this year’s General Election. The procedure for Maoris is the same as that for European electors, except that Maoris have a different form of application, which may be obtained in every post office. Maoris who are entitled to vote, but have not replied to the Chief Electoral Officer, or did not receive a notice some months ago advising them of their electoral district, have only a few days remaining in which to take action to ensure that they are on the main roll. The Electoral Office said today that some persons who had more than half Maori blood were wrongly registered on a European roll, and should be on a Maori roll. Those who were in such a position should write without delay to the Chief Electoral Officer, stating the facts briefly. Rarotongans or other Pacific islanders by birth are not entitled to vote in Maori electorates. If these persons come from British islands and have been in New Zealand for 12 ihonths, however, they can register on a European roll as soon as they have lived in the one electorate for three months. Any Maori who doubts whether he is enrolled should call on a registrar of electors or write to the Chief Electoral Officer, Wellington.