The Call To Drop The Maori Seats Is Nonsense
Thursday, 14 September 2000, 10:43 am
Press Release: New Zealand Government
The Minister of Maori Affairs said Winston Peter's call for
the removal of the Maori seats is sheer nonsense.
The Hon
Parekura Horomia said the call is also extremely
hypocritical.
"The Maori seats were okay for Winston, when
his party was the junior coalition partner based on their
hold on the five seats. But now that Winston's lost the
seats, he's calling for their removal."
Mr
Horomia said Maori representation in Parliament should
reflect the Maori proportion of the total population.
The Minister said Labour has always had a special
relationship with the Maori seats and is committed to
increasing the number of Maori enrolled to vote.
"For me
it is important for Maori to be on the electoral roll and
that they are having a say about the government of this
country."
"For some Maori, it is very important to be on
the Maori roll. For others, its not. But it is most
important for them to be
there".
Ends
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