NOT A LARGE MAORI VOTE ON POLLING ISSUES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22891, 10 March 1949, Page 6

NOT A LARGE MAORI VOTE ON POLLING ISSUES

In a comparatively light poll yesterday voters in the Eastern Maori electorate cast their votes solidly for 6 p.m. closing of hotels and strongly favoured off-course betting in the gaming issue. Some 8400 Maori electors exercised their vote, as against the 13,554 who visited the polling booths in the last general election.

The preliminary count issued in Gisborne showed the following position:— Off-course betting. —For, 6648; against, 1680.

Licensing hours. —6 p.m., 5432; 10 p.m., 2960.

Despite the widely scattered nature of the electorate, the returning officer in Gisborne, Mr. R. J- Thompson, commented on the efficient manner in which the returns were handled by the postal authorities. There was little delay in the receipt of the returns from outlying booths. Although some confusion was expected by reason of the fact that ihere were only 69 purely Eastern Maori booths, in addition to 69 European booths staffed with Maori associates and 43 booths where the Maori voters were dealt with by the European staff the voting was handled efficiently and well. In only one case in the Gisborne district was it necessary to hurry along a Maori associate to assist a European deputy with 10 Maori voters unable to speak English.

In all booths where Maoris cast their votes the majority followed the recommendations of the Gaming Commission in their demand for off-course betting facilities. It is of interest to note that the Maori section of the community was not so set in its mind in regard to the licensing issue, although in the majority of cases returns from the individual booths showed the greater proportion to be in favour of 6 p.m. closing. Where there was a balance in favour of a variation to 10 p.m. closing their opinions were lost in the voice of the majority. Where the issue was close, in favour of 10 p.m. closing or the district better known the individual results of the polling on the liquor issue were, votes cast for 6 p.m. closing being mentioned first in each case:—Hurumua, 9 —27; Horoera, 16—10: Te Karaka, 50 —20; Y.M.C.A., 128—50; Whakaki,. 37—10; Hautanoa. Tokomaru Bay, 47—76; Hiruharama, 40—22; Tuparoa. 20—13; Muriwai, 24—20; Mangatuna. 23—21; Nuhaka, 60—14; Hauiti, 78—19; Waerenga-o-kuri, 5—5; .Whangara, 45—9; Opoutama, 52—12; Waituhi, 23—19; Waihirere, 21—12; Rangitukia, 79—53; Te Araroa, 75—48; Whatatutu, 23 —19; Manutuke, 68— Ruatoria, 96—48; Tikitiki, 75—66; Mohaka, 26—19; Hick’s Bay, 37—32; Mahia, 31—21; North Clyde, 79—33; Opotiki, 78—35; Tokomaru Bay, 66—32; North Clyde, McGregor’s, 69 — 35; Frasertown, 31 —15; Gisborne casual votes, 324—258.