Land Court, members wished to know about its membership, its functions, and how it ,fitted into the New Zealand court system as a whole. In addition, members sought further information concerning the penal system as it affected the Maori, especially on the Maatua Wbangai programme; the functions of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs; the administration of the Department of Maori Affairs; the activities undertaken under service programmes for refugees and Pacific Islands people: the meaning of a "tightening up" of the legal and investigative procedures of the Race Relations Office. The Committee took note of the high level of unemployment in the Maori population, and asked about the reasons for such a development and the measures taken to alleviate that situation. Information was also sought on the number of Maori and Pacific Islanders holding senior posts in the civil service and industry, and on measures to improve their housing situation, 244. With reference to electoral practices, members inguired about the present representation of Maoris in Parliament, and the guaranteed seats granted to them; they wondered why the New Zealand Government had not pursued the idea of introducing a proportional voting system, which would ensure more adequate Maori participation in Parliament, and requested clarification of the term "unregistered persons". 245. With regard to the implementation of article 3 of the Convention, members congratulated the New Zealand Government on its firm commitment to maintaining sanctions against South Africa until substantial and irreversible political progress had been made in that country. 246, In connection with article 5 of the Convention, members noted with satisfaction that country quotas had been abandoned in New Zealand's refugee programme and that this change in policy would lead to an improved situation that was more closely in line with provisiorks of the Convention. Recalling that in recent years there had been complaints of ill-treatment from Maori who had been 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing issues related to social justice, equality, and human rights in New Zealand, with a focus on the experiences and concerns of the Maori and Pacific Islander communities. The topics covered, such as unemployment, representation in Parliament, and the treatment of refugees, suggest that the text is concerned with issues of social and economic inequality.

**Category**
Employment, Humanitarian aid and relief, Culture