SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253, 5 August 1932, Page 13

SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT

SUCCESS OF RATANAISM BENEFIT OF LABOUR VOTE SEVERAL UNUSUAL ASPECTS / The success of Mr. Eruera Tihcma Tirikatenc, or Tregurton, the Independent Hatana candidate in the Southern Maori by-election, is largely attributable to the volume of voting which would have been in favour of Mr. Hari Wi Katene, the Labour nominee, who was excluded from tho election on tho ground that he was declared a European. Considerable interest was aroused throughout New Zealand in the result of the poll, tho most striking feature of which was the succoss of the Ratana faction after a number of election attempts. Tho entry of Ratanaism into Parliament is significant for several reasons. In tho first place, Ratana's followers—who aro called by their leader, Tahu Wiremu Ratana, the " prophet," Nga Morchu, or " the remnants" of the Maori race —have always been regarded as principally a North Island sect. According to opinions in Auckland, the margin won by Ratanaism in tho byelection can bo ascribed mainly to tho support which would otherwise have been accorded Labour. It seems highly probable that a bond will arise between Labour and Ratanaism, although Mr. Tirikatene's status in tho House will bo that of an Independent. Progress in Agriculture The Ratana movement in recent years has been engaged mainly in advancing agriculture among the Maoris, the faithhealing influence of Tahu Wiremu Ratana having been greatly supplanted by enthusiasm in practical communal life in the township near Wanganui. Indeed, notable success has attended tho agricultural efforts of the Ratana followers, who have employed modern farming methods to advantage. It is expected that Mr. Tirikatene, who is one of the younger leaders of Nga Morehu, will pay great attention to the agricultural interests of his people, although, again, the subject appears to concern North Island natives more directly than the limited Maori population of tho South Island. Another purpose of Ratanaism is to unite the tribes and to remove ancient grievances, the principle being that "the remnants" should be the foundation for a true Maori stock. This object has been carried out with considerable effect, and thra native assemblies at Ratana township are surprisingly representative of tribes which were antagonistic in former years. At the same time, this object of Nga Morehu is not likely to obtrude in New Zealand politics. It is thought, however, that it appealed to the South Island Maoris. Maori Political Thought Maori political thought differs widely from European. The important factor of allegiance to the tribal associations of a particular candidate has always been a striking aspect of Maori voting, but it does not appear to have been so prominent in the Southern by-election. To some extent it affected the position of the official Coalition candidate, Mr. W. te I. Parata, for tho voting in favour of Mr. P. Mac Donald, Independent, Mr. J. Beaton, Independent Coalition, and Mr. T. K. Bragg, Independent Reform, was apparently influenced by tribal bonds. Ilatana candidates have appeared before on tho political platform, and, in tho case of the Western Maori electorate, the volume of the polling in favour of Ratanaism against Mr. Taite te Tomo and the late Sir Maui Pomare was no doubt sufficient to encourage a determined campaign in the Southern Maori electorate. What the position would have been had tho Labour candidature been admitted is problematical, but all the evidences indicate that Mr. Tirikateno would have been accorded a much smaller poll. Had the Government and Independent candidates been fewer against Ratanaism and Labour, it is thought extremely probable that the seat would have been retained for the Coalition.