OUR MEMBERS.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 333, 25 April 1885, Page 22

OUR MEMBERS.

East Coast. — Mb. Locke

The member for East Coast District is essentially a Maori man. A pupil and a protege of Sir Donald McLean's, he has in times past proved a very capable native agent and a popular native magistrate, like most men who have been placed in these positions he has not wanted for enemies, and like most, too, he has found some compensation, it is said, by acquiring a competency from the purchase of native lands. Perhaps less, rather than more, abuse has fallen to the share of Mr Locke than is common in such circumstances, and on the whole he is not and never has been an unpopular man with the general public. The last Session was practically Mr Locke's first appearance in the political arena. It will be remembered that when Sir Julius Yogel was asked to represent the East Coast District just before the short Session of the House in June last, Mr Locke and Mr Gannon agreed at once to stand aside and allow him an unopposed election. Mr Eees, however, stood out and declared his determination to fight the seat. The result was a sharp election fight, an attempt to unseat the successful candidate, and the return of Mr Locke to the House just as the Session closed and the new writs were issued. In the contest which ensued with Mr Eees alone the result was decisive, and Mr Locke became the representative of his District by a large majority. The records of the past Session show that the choice of the electors was not in any way misplaced. They were evidently above all things anxious for a representative who would look after their local interests and give prominence to their local questions. Such a representative they found in Mr Locke beyond all question. Whatever may be said against him, it cannot be said that he was not always solicitous about local matters. Like most of the new members of the House produced by the last general election, the member for " East Coast is a poor speaker. If not excited, he is nowhere, and he consequently gets excited on small provocation. Like most Maori scholars, he speaks by jerks,

and is less coherent than vehement in his * style of address. In spite of this, Mr Locke is not like some of out members — to speak. It is true that he makes no* long speeches ; but he is by no means a silent member, and all that he says is said upon local topics. Once, and once only, during the session did he speak on a general question, and that was on the vote of want-of-

confidence in the Atkinson Ministry. " Even then he was local in feeling, and on every other occasion on which he opened his lips in the House he was local in his subject as well as in its treatment. Yet Mr Locke is by no means an inferior man. What he says, if local, is to the point, and he evidently thinks for himself on many general questions on which he does not speak. Throughout the Session he was in opposition— not indeed violently, but certainly consistently. He was just such a provoking member as would be sure to raise the hopes of whips and of lobby busybodies, and would be equally certain to disappoint them when raised. From first to last he was no friend of the Government, . and he is not likely to be so. Yet he was by no means always opposed to their measures, nor at all times eager to obstruct their business. On the District [Railways Leasing and Purchasing Bill, for." instance, he was opposed to the Government, and voted with Sir George Grey. On the East and West Coast Railway Bill, on the other hand, he supported the measure and opposed Sir George Grey. This throughout the Session was the course pursued by the member for the East Coast, and on the whole it was creditable to the solid sense which he certainly possesses. He is no admirer of Sir George Grey, and yet he

was found voting for more than one of * the less objectionable of the measures brought in by him. Thus on the whole the member for the East Coast seems to be a very fair representative. It is true his views do not seem to be very broad nor his talent very conspicuous. Yet he is evidently not wanting in sagacity, nor deficient in a mind of his own, and by no means negligent of the wants and interests of the constituency which he represents. If not the highest qualifications of a member, these are sufficiently high and important to merit fair recognition. Mr ' Locke, if not a leading man, is likely to be both a safe and a fairly influential member. He will bring to the^ consideration of public questions a fair in-

telligence, and to those of local importance to his constituency more than average zeal and diligence.