ELECTION FOR MAORI SEATS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1928, Page 9

ELECTION FOR MAORI SEATS

RATANA ARRANGES CANDIDATES. DANGERS OF VOTE SPLITTING. (By Wire —Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. A statement that a new element of interest had been imparted to the contest for the four Maori seats in Parliament by the activity of W. T. Ratana, religious leader, and members of his party in arranging for candidates to contest each of the seats was made by Mr. Geo. Graham, a well-known authority on Maori life. According to Mr. Graham it is generally expected among the Maoris that each of the sitting members will be returned. “Supporters of the sitting members have realised the danger of vote splitting and have done all in their power to keep down the number of candidates,” Mr. Graham said. “This means the main battle will be between candidates seeking re-election and nominees of the Ratana party. “It is not altogether a simple matter to keep down the number of candidates. Unlike Europeans the Maoris do not think on party lines. The partisan spirit they bring to an election campaign arises from tribal considerations. “Before the general election the various aspirants voice their claims, and it is not easy to prevent some of them from going to the polls. Those who are organising the campaigns on this occasion, however, seem to have met with success in limiting the number of candidates.”