A MEETING OF NATIVES.

Otaki Mail, 24 April 1923, Page 3

A MEETING OF NATIVES.

ME BRANDON GIVES AN ADDRESS. A meeting of Natives was held at the Rank aw a last night when Mr Brandon. an aspirant for the Mayoralty, gave an address. Mr R .Carkeek was chairman, while Mr l’uku Kikihana act-

ed as interpreter. Mr Brandon, after thanking till fur coming to listen to him, and to hear ol his stewardship for the past three years, said it was needless to enter in-

to detail re pipes or other engineering matters. He wished to say that his relations with the Maoris during his term on the Council had been of the most eor-dial nature. He had urg. t; the Natives should have tiicir own rc-pre sentauve on the Council and he iiau voiced that opinion among the Euro pcans. Whoever was returned he trusta representative of the Maori race would be included. The interests of the Maoris and Europeans, lie considered, were identical; any advancement must benelit both races. The great advantage of having a Maori representative was that he could more fully explain Native matters, while it was only j through Native representation on the Council things were so well understood. He assured all that the Native representative, Mr Kikihana, and later Mr Carkeek, had looked after their interests, and he could assure all both looked after Maori interests fairly and squarely. Personally, his relations with the Maori race had been most cordial, and lie had always been given a very patient hearing and his advice listened to. (Hear, hear). He was opposed for the position of Mayor at the coming election, but lie felt sure.that if lie had given satisfaction the Natives would vote for him. He considered it an honour to hold the position, and especially where one could represent both Maoris and pakelias. The interest taken bv Natives’in affairs of the town

were apparent. The improvements ti tile Native Church was an example o what Could be done by working logo tiler. He could tell the Natives a lo about himself but the proof of his good ness would be shown at Thursday’s poll His wish was that the best man wouk win. If defeated lie would be disap pointed but would not lose his interest: in the Maori race. Mr Brandon then invited questions. Mr Wiremu Rikihnnu offered tin Mayor greetings and wished lo expres: his sentiments. He said he appreciut ed the good work done by Mr Brando: who had always extended justice 01 Native questions. He asked, if ciect ed, would Mr Brandon still have eon lideuce in the engineer and foreman. Mr Brandon: Until 1 lind the cngi

near or foreman, or any other servan of the Council unworthy of my eonii der.ee 1 will still have confidence ii them. 1 want you to understand tha if one has no expert knowledge on. must be guided If expert opinion None of us on the Council are engi

neons. Wo employed an engineer in connection witli the works we aio un dorlakiiig; we obtained opinion* an< plan?, from tlia Bov eminent and Iron Mr Jiekcil. engineer of the PalmeiMoi 2soi’th Burougli Council. The plans sub initted lo us by the engineers were ap proven! oi.‘ by Ihe Govermiienr and tin Palmerston engineer, and we haw therefore lo be guided by expert op in ion. Mr Martin ivei offered greetings t the Mayor, and wished to eongrntulat' him ou v.hat he said and expressed ; wish that the. Mayor be supported. Mrs Simeon expressed her thanks fo Mr Brandon coming forward and wish eel the Mayor good luck. •She said si) could not express her thanks for rt eeiving enlightenment from Mr Bran doji.

Mr Papi Nikora: 1 supjjort the set tinients expressed by the ladies and will also support Mr Brandon. Mr Bnu

don started the water-works and would like to see him iinisli it. I re gret that all faults have been cast o the Mayor, seeing plans have been pas sed by expert engineers and others. Mr Mori te Warn offeiett greeting

and thanked Mr Brandon for attend i-ng, and expressed quite openly that h had never seen faults or had an; grievances. It was surprising to him to see opposition and trouble arise and cast on the shoulders of -mr Mayor. Mr Kola KaWiri MVivd gr ■ tings, vnd said they wer** please.'! V!r Brandon had'come to see the Is alive pv' .pie, but. unfortunately, he v, a., deaf and missed all remarks. INI Bru-vu was • :J old friend and an o’<i • i and h would therefore support l-im. :m . as Mr Brandon was a strs-nge? u< '. as he was concerned, lie ‘ i 1 owe ver, do his best to support .m- Brandon otherwise. I’ the eveni dr .Braudon being e letted the pc f J Vi s would congratulate h*o; ar.d gl-e . u hearty sirpport. (A pi‘iau^e) Mr Brandon: f for your meeting, m i g me tjie •• ounce of a korero. It n .w-ar ii 'usurp to me to bear t) - . p.y nessed. I have done v. ; i right in the interests id ih.* v 1J! continue to do d re: .irn- ! trust you will all T. . 11 Up : • :<li-l vote for me. (Appi:.>i->