The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 12, 1902. MAORI LAND COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 471, 12 July 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 12, 1902. MAORI LAND COUNCIL.

The lirsl silling ol a body that may do much to make or mar the future of this fertile district commenced its sittings with a preliminary meeting at Gisborne on '1 luirsitay last. We refer to the Terawhiti Maori Land Council. There is no question that the European members of the Council, while seeing that the interests! of the natives are fairly protected, will also regard as of paramount importance the turning of the vast tracts of idle land into profitable occupation. What line will be taken up by the Maori members ot the Council has yet to be shown. We fear that even in the dignified position of membership of the Council there will be a flavor of the taihoa policy 111 all that is done ; but no one will be better pleased Ilian ourselves if there is a disillusionment. It may he that even if the whole of the Council is unanimous 'in desiring to push on with the settlement' of the country that the efforts will he frustrated by unforeseen difficulties, for it is a peculiarity with native land matters that when all seems most satisfactory a cloud arises to darken the prospect. Hopes have been created, only to be blighted when all seemed most promising, The manner in which the Council carries out its work will he watched with considerable intesest. Tlier e are those who believe that the whole system must of necessity break down, while others set great value upon the policy by which these Councils have been brought into existence. After all, it is impossible to judge except by practical work and the Council now has the opportunity of showing to what extent the exist!nce of such a body is justified, and it must he the hope of all that the good work anticipated will result, Messrs R. J. Gill (President), J.'Townley, and E. P. Joyce are the Europeans on the Council, and in addition there are four native members. Mr J. Brooking was in attendance at the Council on Thursday as interpreter and clerk, and the Bar was represented by Messrs Nolan, Jones, Lysnar, and Ngata,