MAORI BY-ELECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 494, 1 July 1932, Page 5

MAORI BY-ELECTION.

Official Candidate for Southern Seat.

MR NED PARATA CHOSEN. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 30. The vacancy in the representation of the Southern Maori district owing to the death of Mr Makitanara necessitates a by-election at an early date. Mr Makitanara was a supporter of the United Party, and on the formation of the Coalition Government he was the official Government candidate for the seat. Before leaving for Ottawa, Mr Coates had intimated that the amenities of the political situation would be observed, and that full support would be given the candidate selected by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister now announces that Mr Ned Parata, son of the late Mr Tame Parata, who for so long represented the district, will be the official Government candidate. Mr Parata, who is a brother of the late Mr Charlie Parata. is the father of Maori Rugby football. lie was educated j at Te Aute College, and for many years was in business at Rotorua. His business and sports connections in both islands have given him an insight into the requirements of his own people, besides qualifying him to regard pro- ! blems from more than a parochial j standpoint. The Parata family has, moreover, always taken a deep interest in politics and in the affairs of the Maori race. Mr Ned Parata should have a wider appeal than the special interests of South Island Maoris.