“Maori Political Pendulum Now Swinging To Right”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29268, 28 July 1960, Page 7

“Maori Political Pendulum Now Swinging To Right”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 27. “The Maori political pendulum has been swinging to the left for 25 years, but it cannot keep swinging in that direction any longer, especially when we remember that the length of the average European political life is about 12 years or half the present Maori one,” Mr J. Te H. Grace, the Maori vice-president of the National Party told the annual conference of the party. “The younger generation of Maoris voting for the second and third time are becoming more independent in their outlook on politics and they now have an open mind?’ he said. “They are beginning to think for themselves and the phase when they supported the Labour Party blindly is passing.” In the past the Maoris had stuck loyally to Labour because of the late Mr Peter Fraser and the Ratana religious movement. Mr Fraser in 1935 was astute enough to consolidate his position in the Maori political field by hitching his waggon to the Ratana star, he said. The National Party, if it wanted this new Maori support, had to take care that the Maori voter, in changing his allegiance from Labour, did not transfer it to one of the central groups. “I am of the opinion that the Maori voting swin; towards the left has reached its end,” said Mr Grace, “and the start of its swing in the opposite motion has begun. It may well be that the 1958 Budget began the reverse process. It is up to the National Party to organise this new potential support wisely.”

Among factors which Mr Grace mentioned was an insistence on good Maori candidates. “Remember,” he said, “that the age groups between 25 and 35 are looking for better representation in Parliament than has been provided by Ratanaism and Labour for the last 25 years."