Half-caste Maoris’ Electoral Transfers Are Now Restricted

Grey River Argus, 1 December 1948, Page 4

Half-caste Maoris’ Electoral Transfers Are Now Restricted

WELLINGTON, Nov. 30. The right of the half-castes to transfer from the Maori roll to the European roll and vice versa is now to be restricted to the General Elections. This is effected by a Government Amendment inserted in the Electoral Amendment Bill, made when the measure was in the committee stage in the House iof Representatives to-day. Under the original Bill, this option could be exercised after a period ot 12 months. The effect of the amendment is to prohibit a half-caste from changing from one roll to another to vote at a by-election between, the General Elections. The amendment states that a half-caste who has voted at the election of a member for a European electoral district (whether at a general election or a byelection) shall not be entitled to be registered as an elector of a Maori electoral district for the purposes of any election before the General Election next following the election at which he has so voted. Similarly, a half-caste who has voted at the election of a member for a Maori electoral district (whether at a general election or a by-election) shall not foe entitled to be registered as an elector of a European electoral district for the purposes of any election before the general election next following the election at which he has so voted. Another amendment states that a half-caste who is, for the time being, registered as an elector of a European electoral district shall not be entitled to vote at any election of a member for a Maori electoral district. A half-caste who has voted as an elector of a European electoral district at any election (whether a general election or a by-elec-tion) shall not be entitled to vote as an elector of a Maori electoral district, at any election before the General Election next, following the election at which he so voted. The B’ll, as amended on the motion of Mr Nash, was passed without division.