AN ELECTION PETITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2488, 29 April 1909, Page 4

AN ELECTION PETITION.

WESTERN MAORI ELECTORATE

[Pur Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, April 28

Mr. Henare Kalliau, M.P., is preparing to put up a 'keen fight at the hearing of Pepene Eketones petition against his election as representative of the Western Maori district. The petition is to be heard at Hamilton before two Judges of the Supreme Court on May 10th. Speaking to a press representative to-day, Mr. Ivaihau, who has represented the Western Maori District in Parliament foi« the last eleven years, said that Pepene Lkotone’s chief objection was that the scheme emploved at the ballot at last election was not in accordance with law. Since 1864, Mr. Kailiau says, it has been the custom at native elections lor the returning officer to ask each native, on entering the booth, bis name, liis tribe, and the name of the candidate for whom ho desires to vote. The custom has been for the returning officer to enter up these particulars, and to, in many cases, dispense with the need for ballot papers. Ino petition to upset the last election is oased on the ground that the ballot papers should have been used and that the course of procedure employed had been irregular. “If this so, it is no fault of mine.” added the member for the Western Maori District. “As far as I can understand, the election was cairied out in accordance with the custom which has prevailed for years. 11 tlioie has been any improper procedure making the election invalid, then all the other candidates will be in the same position as myself. Personally, I have no fear of the outcome of a second election, if it- is necessary.