Maori seats
Sir,—The recent statement of the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Wetere, about increasing Maori seats cannot be reconciled with other aspects of this Government’s policies. To advocate increased separate representation for Maoris seemingly conflicts with the Government’s vehement opposition to playing rugby with South Africa where the pressure is intended to remove separate representation of blacks as it exists under apartheid. The introduction of Coloured seats into the South African Parliament
attracted little support, more a cosmetic change than one of substance. The claim by the Deputy Prime Minister that Maoris are under-represented in Parliament belies the fact that Maoris have progressively chosen to enrol on the general roll. Are not 250,000 Polynesians resident in New Zealand under-represented by this criterion? How does the Government reconcile this policy with Article 21 (3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “. . . universal and equal suffrage .” which New Zealand has ratified? Surely the time has come for the abolition of this anachronism. Or is it political 'JriSurdhce the’ Government has in mind? — Yours, etc., ... RICHARD M. JEFFERIES. October 17, 1984.
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Press, 25 October 1984, Page 20
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179Maori seats Press, 25 October 1984, Page 20
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