MR TOMOANA, M.H.R., AT GISBORNE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2255, 20 May 1881, Page 3

MR TOMOANA, M.H.R., AT GISBORNE.

OBBSB ABBOOTA.TTOK TBIBGBAsr.J GISBORNE. May 19. Mr Henare Totnoana, M.H.R. for the East Coast Maori electoral district, addressed his constituents this afternoon. His speech lasted nearly two hours. He reviewed his I action as their representative during the last sossion, and dwelt particularly upon the inability of the Native Affairs Committee to deal in a final manner with the petition Bubmitted to it. He believed that it was more tho desire of the House to relegate local questions affecting land disputes in Poverty Bay to a commission of enquiry. He thought it would be wise for commissioners of enquiry, consisting of a Judge of the Native Land Court, two lawyers, and two Native assessors, to be appointed to settle the grievances regarding the joint tenancy difficulty. Ho stated that it was the intention of the Government to bring in next session a measure empowering Maoris and Europeans whceo properties are held in trust by private trustees, to appeal to tho public trustee if they thought proper, with a view to obtaining a thorough enquiry as to the mode in which such trusts have been administered. He himself felt very dark on the subjeot. He considered this a wise step on the part of the Government in the interest of the Natives, especially those in the Poverty Bay and Hawke'e Bay districts. He felt confident that in the interests of both races all sides of the House would at the ensuing sossion support any legislation tending in that direction. He advocated increased Maori representation, and thought that the Natives were entitled to eight members.