MAORI REPRESENTATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 8, 14 February 1914, Page 3 (Supplement)

MAORI REPRESENTATION.

It is the intention of four principal .tribes in the Tokerau land-district—-namely., the Ngatiwhatua, Ngapuhi, Tcrarawa,-and Teaupouri, to meet at the end of March or early in April to discuss matters pertaining to the next general election. The Whangarei correspondent of the Auckland "Star" telef graphs: "It is said to bo the intention of some of the tribes in that district to express ' dissatisfaction with their present member, Dr Te Rangihiroa (Dr Buck), for the following reasons:—(l) That the present representative hails from the Western Maori district; (2.) that when the late Kone Heke died in. - Wellington and his -remains were brought to Kaikohe for interment, then, as a compliment to the southern Maori chiefs and Sir James Car roll,, er.d also upholding aft ancient Maori custom, "the chiefs of the Tokerau land district pWmised that Dr Buck should be returned to Parliament for three years as Hone Heke's successor (the term of Dr Buck's representation is now about to expire); (3) that it is desirable that the Maori representative should be a member of the four tribes, be he Reform, Labour, Independent, or Liberal, and such a candidate would receive the support of the four tribes; (4) that, as Dr Buck is a member cf the Western District tribe and wishes to retain his seat, his proper 'opponent .would be a& meinber for that f Dri who represents the Natives in th,S Tsx- > ecutive Council; .'„ He shpuM f Jeaye;. "the*;'.-."; Northern Maori candidates to fight their own: battles among .'themselves in their ' own elections." These matters will bo threshed^out at the rneeting'.of tribes ;' L coftiprising the Tokerau Land Dist'ri &£ and a candidate will be selected whom ' the meeting will-be'pledged to nup^o»'t. :