MR. LOCKE AT MOHAKA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3196, 26 September 1881, Page 3

MR. LOCKE AT MOHAKA.

[BY/ TE__G_.APir._

(fbom oub own cobbespondent). Mohaka, September 26,

Mr Locke addressed the electors in the schoolroom here on Saturday night. The night was wet, and there were not more than forty persons present, including Maoris. Mr R. Sim was voted to the chair.

After some preliminary remarks to the electors, Mr Locke dealt with the native land question at considerable length, approving of the policy of the Government in rating native lands. He took up the sub-division question, and went into it fully, and thought the Government should provide greater facility for the transfer of native land. On the question of local government he thought a combination of the county and road board system would be found to answer well. He thought the country was not prepared to return to provincialism, and if Mr Ornaond meant provincialism he for one would not support him. He opposed separation strongly, as proposed by Mr Macandrew, believing the North Island in years to come will have the greater power and influence. The Roads Construction Bill, as a temporary expedient, might do. Waste Lands Boards should be elective. In concluding he said he did not ask the electors for a vote of confidence, but left himself in their hands. If they felt inclined to give a vote of confidence they could do so, but he would not ask one.

At the request of an elector Mr Locke then addressed the natives in Maori, giving a resume of his speech, with which they approved, excepting the proposal to rate native land.

"Mr Bee proposed, and Mr Balfour seconded a vote of confidence in Mr Locke as their representative. The Chairman regretted that the proposal for a vote of confidence was made, as it would necessitate his leaving the chair. He did so, not out of opposition to Mr Locke, who was an old friend, and one whom he esteemed, but as an unpleged elector he coald not put a vote of Confidence, and would decline to do so on principle, and if pressed must leave the chair.

After waiting some time to see if another chairman would be appointed, or a compromise made, Mr Sim vacated the chair amid applause.

Mr Bee said it did not matter whether they had a chairman or not, and he called for a show of hands for Mr Locke, which was done, the chair being vacant.