SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17701, 30 January 1918, Page 4

SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT.

SIR JAMES CARROLL TO SPEAK AT TUAHIWI TO-NIGHT.

Sir James Carroll is paying a visit to the South Island in connection with the selection of a Government candidate for the Southern Maori seat, rendered vacant by the death of Mr T. Parata. Sir James arrived from tho north yesterday morning and will commence his tour with a meeting at Tuahiwi this evening. Afterwards addresses will be delivered at Temuka and Puketeraki. Mr G. Witty, M.P., will accompany Sir James on his tour. The statement that a Government candidate has been already selected ia incorrect. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, January 29. Regarding the Southern Maori seat, Mi- Ellison, who stood a* tho last gen-i oral election as a Reform candidate, telegraphed to Sir Joseph Ward ia January that he proposed to stand aa a supporter of tho National Government. The following telegram was next day sent to Mi- Ellison by the leaders of tho respective parties;—" With reference to your suggestion that you should stand as a candidate for the vacancy created by tho "death of the lato Mr Charles Parata, we have to inform you thai under the truce established upon tho creation of the National Government, an understanding was entered into between us that in the event of a, vacancy the leader of the party to which the member belonged was to nominata a candidate, and tho support of both parties was to be asked for on his behalf. Tho late Mr Parata having been a member of the Liberal Party, his successor required to be selected fr|>m the Liberal Party by Sir Joseph Ward. In the circumstances, you Will recognise that it is not possible far you to-be. nominated on behalf of .the National Government, and our desire is that ycu should not stand and that your, support and assistance should bo given to whoever is nominated by Sir Joseph W ard to fill the place of the l*tw Mbero* member. This i'svthe coarse than liru been followed in European seats sincc( the National Government was formed, and we hope that the Maoris will respect this arrangomenit."