MAORI ELECTION

Southland Times, Issue 21770, 27 July 1932, Page 8

MAORI ELECTION

THE REJECTED NOMINATION. ACTION BY LABOUR PARTY. When asked on Monday what action had been taken by the Labour Party in regard to the rejection by the returning officer for the Southern Maori electorate (Mr J. R. Sansom) of the nomination of Mr H. W. Katene, the Labour candidate for the seat, Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., said he was very surprised at the development that had taken place. Mr Katene was one of the highest types of Maori that he had come in contact with, which was saying a great deal, as he had a very high opinion of the Maori race (reports the Christchurch Times). The matter was brought under his notice on Thursday morning, continued Mr Sullivan, and he at once got into communication with Mr Katene, who was then on his way to Christchurch. He also communicated with the returning officer, members of Mr Katene’s committee at Tuahiwi, the Christchurch Labour members of Parliament and representatives of the Labour Representation Committee. Mr Katene argued his own case from the statutes in a most convincing manner, and as a result the returning officer said that, without taking any final responsibility regarding the interpretation of the statutes, he was prepared to accept Mr Katene’s nomination. Mr Sullivan then telegraphed to the National Executive of the Labour Party in Wellington, explaining the position, and it was a very great surprise to him to learn on Friday that, despite the understanding reached, Mr Katene’s nomination had been rejected. He understood that this step was taken by the returning officer on receipt of instructions from the Chief Electoral Officer in Wellington. “An extraordinary feature of the whole business,” said Mr Sullivan, “is that when Mr Katene stood at the general election in December last his nomination was accepted, but on this occasion, as a Labour candidate, his nomination is rejected. It is certainly a matter that calls for a full inquiry.” Mr Sullivan received the following telegram on Monday afternoon from Mr W. Nash, M.P.:— “If the party’s official candidate is out of the contest for the Southern. Maori seat the best course is to follow the party’s usual procedure and allow Labour supporters to exercise their own judgment when voting. Mr J. Thorn, national secretary, concurs with this and the executive will consider the question at its next meeting, and, if necessary, I will wire you again.”