NATIVE LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 575, 2 August 1909, Page 4

NATIVE LANDS.

. REMARKS BY MR. MASSEY. s ': .:...■ THE ONLY SOLUTION.' " i . Iritcnnp.wed by a Dominion reporter just before, his ; departure for. Auckland, Mr. Masscy said tlip Native land , problem would bo one'of the most important ouostioubi ; that Parliament would hayo to deal with in l the future. "It seoms to ; me," :contiinied, ."that there.is only one.way out of tho difficulty, and that is to place tho Maori in the same position before the law as tho European, lliere may bo cases where it would bo necessary- to safeguard, his interests by making it impossible-for him to dispossess himself of, land intended . for tho niaiutenanoe of lu'mself and his family, but such cases could bo provided for. Tho great majority of tie Maorj people aro jiyst as well able to look after their own interests as tlio Europeans are, and they should certainly have. tl:e opportunity of doing, so. Their lands ara gradually being iuoi-eased in valuo by the improvements and industry of European settlers, audthey should certainly contribute to tlio general revenue and local rates in proportion to the. benefits they receive. Then 'as 'to. the Maoris themselyes, tlio gentlcmaji who is Acting-Prime Minister is in lawa Maori, .and another member of the Ministry is also a Maori, and I say (and no, one will dispute this opinion) that if members of tlie Maori race are fit to govern the Euro■pean iwpulation they, are fit to manage' their cnvn affairs." .'. '. '. ... ". . ... , :