MAORI BY-ELECTION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17820, 1 July 1932, Page 4

MAORI BY-ELECTION

COALITION CANDIDATE MR. N. PARATA SELECTED (Per Press Association.) WELTJNCTON, last night. Tiie vacancy in the representation ot the Southern Maori district, owing to tho death of Mr. T. Makitanara, necessitates a by-election at an early date. Mr. Makitanara was a supporter of the United Party, and on the formation of tire Coalition Government ho was the official Government candidate for the seat. Before leaving for Ottawa, tho Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates had intimated that the amenities of the political situation would be observed, and that full support would be given any candidate selected by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister now announces that Mr. Ned Parata. son of the late Mr. Tama Parata. who for so long represented the district, will be the official Government candidate. Mr. Parata is a brother of the Into Mr. Charlie Parata.

Mr. Ned Parata is a national figure, and is the “father” of Maori Rugby football. He was educated at Te Ante College, and for many years was in business at Rotorua. His business and snorts connections in both islands have given him an insight into the requirements of his own people, besides qualifying him to regard problems from more than a parochial standpoint. The Parrtta family has, moreover, always taken .a deen interest in politics and in the affairs of the Maori race. Mr. Ned Parata should have a. wider appeal than the snecial interests of the South Island Maoris.