THE "TAIHOA" POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 16 July 1910, Page 14

THE "TAIHOA" POLICY.

GOVERNMENT AND NATIVE LANDS. I DISSATISFIED SETTLERS. (Bt Tolegrapa.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, July 13. ' Tho "tailioa" policy of the Native Department, which all (Mr. Ngata's eloquence cannot whitewash for tho man in tho backblocks, who knows the worth of Government promises, was gibbeted at a very conference of King Country local bodies, held at Taumarunui recently. In that connection, and apropos of a rumour that Mr. Jennings is to receive Ministerial rank, it -is interesting to note that he appeared as an apologist for the Government, and he became quite, Ministerial in his veiled references to the contents of Bills ho was not at liberty to disclose, but which would, he felt, satisfy tho aspirations of all in the King Country. The following motion, being a remit to the" conference from To Kuiti - Borough Council, was moved by the chairman of that body (Mr. James Boddie):— "That in the opinion., of this conference the.time hus arrived when the question of rating Native lands can no longer be delayed, and that 'a united and determined effort should be made to bring pressure to bear upon the, Government to pass legislation during the present session of Parliament of such a nature as will give justice to the European ratepayers- without inflicting an injustice : upon tho Natives." '"• - Mr. Jennings said the delegates would, no doubt, bo. glad to hear, with regard to the all-important question of Native land matters, that the Government 1 had decided to introduce legislation this, ses-sion-providing. tOTj dealing with Natfve. townships and. the rating of Native lands in a manner which would ho satisfactory to, all concerned. He was not in a position to indicate-the contents of. the Bills in course of preparation, but ho felt sure that they would completely satisfy tho aspirations of all in the King Country. The mover-.of the motion,said that al- ■ thongh he appreciated the promises which had been made through Mr; Jennings, ho could not forget that similar promises in the past had, too often been forgotten. Eighteen months ago . the Native Minister had vfsited the district, and after a conference with the Natives it was plaintiy announced, through Mr: Carrol, that the Natives were quite willing for their land to bo placed upon a similar footing to that of European.lands. Tliero; had, however, been no practical outcome, and it was evident that the Europeans would have to insist upon a settlement.. (Hear hear.) It was quite time that' there was legislative machinery in existence which enabled the rating of Native lands, but it was absolutely a dead letter because tho consent of the Native Minister was necessary before the provisions could be enforced. They knew only, too well that getting anything- from the Native M.inister was like extracting teeth. (Laughter.) . -Mr. W. J. Shaw (chairman of the Kawhia County Council" complained 'that before a.European settler could be placed upon the Crown lands of the King Country; they had to place roads through a deep fringe of. Native lands. No section bf the community' used tho roads more than tho Maoris, and it was only com-' monsense to claim that their lands should be subjected to rating. Mr. Noonen (ICawhia Country .Council) complained that the. position 'arising through tho large quantity of Nativo land on the ICawhia Harbour frontage being exempted from rates was becoming more acute'.every year. (Hear, hear.) Mr. T. H. ( Sims (To Kuiti Chamber ofCommerce) said tho pity of tho -unjust position was that the King Country and one or tw-o other districts in the North Isjahd'were the sole sufferers.'- (Hear, hear.) ; Mr. Boddie: We don't blame the-Na-tives, but tho Government. Mr. Jennings agreed that the difficultywas accentuated by tho fact that southern members were not coprnisant of the conditions existing in the King Country.; Ho-had received a telegram from the Native Minister showing that out of 578,277 acres in the Taumarunui electorate the quantity of Crown lands was 200,124 acres and the Native land 318,153 acres. Evidently a great-, misapprehension" existed regarding the -quantity of land' held by -Natives. There were in existence' largo areas of land absolutely fit for' closer settlement which were not owned by tho Natives. • -, ■ The motion was carried unanimously anirdst applause.