DEPENDS ON A MAORI.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 270, 18 December 1914, Page 10

DEPENDS ON A MAORI.

POLITICAL SITUATION. UNHAPPY STATE OF AFFAIRS. THEY'BE ALL AFTER TAU. Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 17. An interesting dispatch has been received from the "Herald's" Kawakawa correspondent with reference to the attitude of Mr Tan Henare, M.P. for the Northern Maori district, concerning whom there are many enquiries. During the last few days Mr Henare has received great numbers of letters and telegrams from men in prominent places, but he has declined to make any definite announcement. Several Taiana chiefs assert that they supported Henare because they believed he would support Sir Joseph Ward, and they now demand' that he shall, declare himself within a week. Other influential natives have telegraphed to Henare, suggesting a conference of eight tribal representatives to decide what party he will support, but Tau only replied "Call to your -mind the saying of our ancestors: 'lf the Karaka berry is eaten too soon it makes one drunk.'"

Several Whangarei gentlemen telegraphed to Henare, asking whether ho supported Mr Massey or Sir Joseph Ward. He replied with all courtesy that he would allow them two guesses. A movement is on foot to present a petition against the election of Henare, on the ground that at several places there were no European returning officers, and that at one place a booth was not~open. The "Herald's" correspondent, after remarking that this morning Mr Tau Henare was deluged "with correspondence, and, hearing a rumour that the Opposition organiser was in the district, left on a visit to the bush in the back-blocks, proceeds:— -"In the course of an interview with the 'Herald' correspondent, -Tau said that he was not pledged to either party, bxit his general inclination was to support the present Government on a want-of -confidence motion. He would not be a party man; he represented the Northern Maoris, many of whom were on each side of politics. He was not a plaything to be found in Mr Massey's pocket or Sir Joseph Ward's pocket, and*he was not a dog to respond to the crack of the party whip."

DR. McNAB AT HASTINGS. Press Association. HASTINGS, December 17. DrMeNab received an ovation from his supporters on his arrival from Wellington this evening. Crowds of admirers took the horses from the eaiv riage awaiting him, and amid great cheering the vehicle in which Dr McNab was seated- was pulled through the town. :Ffom the balcony of his old committee rooms, Dr McNab delivered a tactful and generous speech. He said he could not Bay whether there would be another election or not, bat he felt confident that when Parliament met the, leaders would be able to evolve a condition of things that would enable the business of the country to be carried on. He emphasised that the Administration could not be continued by any party that had not the confidence of the country. The Returning Officer is still busy with the roll, apparently satisfying himself that everything is in order. When seen late this evening he stated he had no_ information for the Press, further he had to make his official declaration on Saturday. i