Or he doesn't know Gaston. He asked Belle's opinion about Gaston in the beginning of the movie. Maurice is a good protective father.

Maurice seems like the father that would want Belle to have a secure life and he even mentioned Gaston as a person she might be able to talk so he must think of him as someone worthy or spending time with his daughter. But I don't think he would pressure her into marrying him if she really didn't want to

Cause in the movie :
Belle: Papa do you think im odd?
Maurice: Odd? Where did you get the idea like that?
Belle: Oh I don't know. Its just im not sure I fit in here. Theres no one here to talk to.
Maurice: How about that Gaston? Hes a handsome fallew.
Belle: Hes handsome allright and rude and conseetive. Papa hes not for me.
Maurice: Well don't you worry , this invention is gonna be the start of a new life for us.

I don't think he would force her into marrage.

I believe that Maurice and Belle's relationship is that good not because Belle is such a dutiful and obedient daughter( lol, no she isn't at all) but more because Maurice is liberal and understanding dad. He treats Belle as his equal, he trusts her opinion, her intuition and doesn't look down at her because of her being younger. He would give her a choice.