NATIVE LAND PROBLEM.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 618, 22 September 1909, Page 5

NATIVE LAND PROBLEM.

A BAR TO PROGRESS./. ■ The Northern Land League has :~ issued a manifesto which; states:—: ( .. '.. . . '_ ■ 1. The conditions under which' Natives hold their lands aro. utterly unsatisfactory because: (a): They cannot sell; (b) they cannot leaso, |.except .under difficult restrictions; (c) they cannot themselves elfectivelv occupy theirown lands, becauso they are held in common. ' 2. Rates arc not collectable on this great area of Native jand, tho value of which is being enhanced by the' expenditure of rate' paid by European occupiers, 'and by subsidies and grants by the State. ' ■ 3. The Native owners of lauds, under n policy which crushes'out all hope'.of developing , the country by tho: Europeans, are themselves. brought. to beggary.. . . ■ .' . ■J. This native- land policy has been continuous '.in its--effects.for twenty years, has lowered, the character of 'thoj.Native, has distinctly prevented progress in the districts'. affcf™, andis a causo.of unemployment. .-..-' 5. x ilio.i\afave land laws,. special and general' aro so numerous that no one can understand them., ■ . ' , ■ ■ - . , . ; Btform':is therefore urgently needed, and we believe that- only, effective reform is to bo found- m: tho Government taking over 1 tho whole ( of 'the unoccupied Native lands, and treat-them : the same as-Crown lands, usinir the revenue from, snch lands in tho interest -L Li ■ "• raco 'n such' manner as to be equitable to both tbo European and Maori.