H. TOMOANA, M.H.R.’s METTING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1186, 27 October 1882, Page 2

H. TOMOANA, M.H.R.’s METTING.

About sixty persons assembled yesterday in the big runanga house, called Rawira, to hear the speech of Henare Tomoana, the Maori member for the Eastern Electoral District. Mr Tomoana commenced by referring to the several bills brought up by the Government, whereby the Slaoris, as a race, are effected. He spoke very strongly against the Rating Act, and said he and his colleagues in the House had fought this’measure step by step. He then referred to the Governor’s departure from this Colony, stating that His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon had left New Zealand entirely, owing to a disagreement between himself and the members of the Government on matters affecting the Maori race, and particularly with regard to Te Whiti. He then referred to the effect the Native Reserves Act will have, and warned all present that should the owners of Maori lands deem it expedient to avail themselves of the provisions of this Statute their property would be absolutely invaluable, and the alienation clause could not be removed.

In reply to one or two remarks from other speakers, Mr Tomoana said all the Maoris snould be enrolled on the Rate Rolls, for by so doing they could vote for the members for the County Councils and also for the members of the House of Representatives. Manina, of Hawke’s Bay, who is accompanying the member, said he approved of the course adopted by the Maori members in the House, and particularly of his friend who had just sat down. Petera Honotapu and Hapi Kiniha followed in the same strain, the latter urging particularly that all persons should pay rates so that they would be able to vote for members for County Councils.