SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17702, 31 January 1918, Page 5

SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT.

SIR JAMES CARROLL AT TUAHIWI. Sir James Carroll addressed a gathering composed mostly of Maoris at Tuahiwi last evening, on matters connected with tho selection of a candidate for the Southern Maori seat. There was a fair gathering of electors, and the reception accorded him was an enthusiastic one- Sir James was accompanied by Mr G. Witty, M.P. Mr S. Ruben presided over the meeting. Sir James Carroll, who addressed the electors in his native tongue, was warmly greeted by those present. In response he said that lie much appreciated the welcome extended to him. He was not there to accept a proper Maori welcome, but to discuss with the electors the coining election caused by the death of Mr T. Parata, member for. the Southern Maori district. Previous to the war there existed party Government, but since the war had commenced a Coalition Government had been formed. He considered that if one of tho Opposition members vacated his seat then it was only just that an Opposition member should be elected in his place. In any case, it was only a ma tter of six months or so before another election would be held. It would save a great deal of expense to the contesting parties if the present position wero now clearly refined. After ho had addressed tho people in the different electorates lid would suggest to them the name of the person most entitled to represent the electors in Parliament. He wished tho electors to agree with him in the matter of one man standing for tho whole electorate. He intended to address every person interested in the election, and lie hoped that they would all pufl together in the matter. If the electors were to be at loggerheads with one another then matters would be at a standstill. He had communicated with several of those who had intended to stand for the soat, but none of these people had attended. When he did suggest a man he wished the electors to concur in his views. Ho had a certain candidate in his mind, but at present be did not wish to divulge the name. The roll of to-day was distinctly different from what it was m years gone by. This was the first time in which a Moari election was carried through on a registered roll. Mr George Wiitty, M.P., who was loudly applauded on rising to speak, stated that his heart was always with the people who at one time owned the wholo of this land. He paid a warm tribute to Sir James Carroll, and he hoped that the people would rise to the> occasion and elect a member worthy of the position. During the war time it was practically a compact between tho leaders of the Opposition and. the Government that should an Opposition member die, then an Opposition member should be elected in his stead- They did not want squabbles, especially in times like the present. Tho Maoris wanted the assistance of tho pakoha, and tho pakehas wanted the assistance of tho Maori. In these times of stress tho people should elect somo member worthy of tho honour and one who would bo a credit to all concerned. Dir W. D. Barrett said that ho was one of those suggested by the electors to represent tho electorate. Ho uas quite willing to fall in with Sir James s idea with regard to the selection of a candidate to represent the districtIt was proposed by Mr U Ilutey, and seconded by Mr Ivorako, that the selection of a candidate to represent the Sou there Maori electorate should bo left in the hands of Sir James Cairoll. The motion was carried without dissent-