MAORI ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16942, 17 January 1923, Page 3

MAORI ELECTIONS.

ROW THE NATIVE VOTES. The lodging of a petition against the return of one of tho Maori members ot Parliament has given some prominence to the subject of Maori elections. I Many New Zealanders no doubt asI sume without question that- tho system 1 olio wed in the polling- for Native members is the same a»s that followed in the polling for European representatives, says tiro “Dominion.” j First of all. there is no Maori roll. ' There is provision in the law for the compilation of such a roll, but so far j none has been compiled. The reason is. probably, that a roll would be usej less unless enrolment was compulsory. • The Native does not take readily to I systems of registration, as many regisI trars of births and deaths have cause |to know. If a roll were used it is j likely that comparatively few Natives ■ would register voluntarily, and most i of the voting would have to he “ by J declaration," so that things would be j little better than they are now. i When tho Maori elector enters a ( polling booth on election day lie is rej <iiii rod to state his full name, his iwi 1 (.tribe), his hapu (suo-t.itbe), and his | kaingn (place of abode). These particulars are inscribed on the counterfoil of a voting paper. Then the elecI lor is required to state the name of j the candidate for whom ho desires to ; voce, and the returning officer writes it upon the voting paper. The returning officer and a Maori associate are tlie only persons permitted to be present when a Maori elector votes. The officer, after recording tue vote, puts his name or his initials on the paper and hands it to the associate, who similarly signs or initials it. The part of the paper on which the vote is noted is detachable from that on which the particulars concerning the elector appear. No scrutineer is permitted to be present in the booth during voting, j Secrecy has to Vie preserved concerning j the Native’s vote, just as .it has to be ’ preserved concerning tbe European’s. Immediately after the poll has closed scrutineers are admitted so that they may witness the counting of the votes.