NORTHERN MAORI MEMBER

Grey River Argus, 31 December 1914, Page 7

NORTHERN MAORI MEMBER

.+, REFORMER OR LIBERAL? KEEPS BOTH PARTIES GUESSING BY TELEGRAPH— PJ3K MUSSS ASSOCIATIONAUCKLAND, Dec. 30. The meeting of the constituents of Mr. Tau Henare, the newly-eJected member for the Northern Maori disrict, to decide the political course to be taken by their member, which was fiexdi for New Year's Day, has been postponed to a daite not yet fixed. The general! opinion held by leading natives is that .before setting Tau Henare's course, they should know in what direction lies the safe anchorage of a party majority. In .the meantime, to put in in their own picturesque phraseology, "Let us keep standing on one leg and then en the other ileg till all is quiet." There is another matter to be taken in,to consideration. If Tau Henare fte:lares for one party the supporters of the other party would probably petition to have the election declared void on the grand of irregularities. If the member can keep them guessing and alternately stand on one foot and then on the other till the lime for lodging a petition has expired 3ne of the greait dangers of making a declaration would be removed. In conversation with three promin ent Maoris, your correspondent was informed that owing to the exceptional circumstances and tthe fact that as they say natives supporting both Reform and Opposition Parties voted for Tau Hena're, the prevailing op-n---um amongst the .leading- men is that .the latter, should definitely state his independence and pledge not to vote o>n a want of confidence motion. Tau Henare, like brer rabbit, paliticailly lies low He says it is the holiday season, and he docs- not mix politics with pleasure. At the Kawakawa sports one of his supporters got into a. heated political discussion. The new member pushed his way through and dragged his man out, informing' the crowd that "Palitics can wait and sports can*, and wait politics will have to till Tau Hen are gets a clearer and fuller view of the results of the general election and his people are satisfied "that their interests will not be jeopardised by the course they set for btm.