MAORI VOTING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 11 December 1946, Page 4

MAORI VOTING

Sir, —In view of statements recently made alleging irregular practices by Maoris at the recent elections I am of the opinion that the matter should be very openly discussed with a view to ascertaining how much credence is to be placed on these reports. It must be admitted that conditions governing present voting by Maoris leaves the door wide open for malpractice. 1 have lived in a Maori district for over 36 years and where resistance to temptation is concerned, I have found the Maori no better and no worse than the pakeha, nor, and this is important, is he any bigger fool. What inducement is there for parties of Maoris to hire lorries or cars to go haring about the electorates from booth to booth? I believe that isolated cases of dual voting do occur, but as an organised racket, no, Short of bribery on the part of the candidates or their committees, which can for obvious reasons be ruled out, there seems no particular reason why Maoris should behave in such a foolish Way. I am, however, of the opinion that quite large numbers of minors voted, and I am sure that this is the reason for the increase in the vote. It is a matter of considerable difficulty to accurately gauge the age of Maori youths and girls and, if they say that they are 21, who shall say that they are not?, C. R, E. WOOD. Hicks Bay.