AN ABSENT MEMBER

Grey River Argus, 2 September 1908, Page 4

AN ABSENT MEMBER

For the greater part of last session the member for the Western Maori .District (Mr Henare Kaihau) was absent from his place in the House and so far as the present session is concerned, he has not yet deigned to honour the Chamber with his presence His neglect of his parliamentary duties drew a sharp rebuke from a fellow native member (Mr Parata) this afternoon. Ih " speaking on a native bill, which dealt with land in Mr Kaihau's district, Mr Parata commented on the prolonged absence of the member for the Western District. "I and other members," he said, "are here every day, attending to the business of the Dominion, and looking after the interests of the Maori race, but I wish to draw the attention of the House and the country to the fact that whilst the hon member for the Western Maori District was returned to look after the interests of his constituents, he is con tinually staying away and neglecting his duty. This has been going on for years. If I was absent for a week or a fortnight, my constituents would call my attention to it." Mr Parata said that although the hon member was no present, he was drawing his honorarium. "It is time," he said, "that the House paid attention ta the