MORE “TAIHOA.”

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 852, 28 March 1903, Page 2

MORE “TAIHOA.”

According to report there is going to be even more delay in regard to the East Coast Native Trust Lands Board. The other day, it was stated that there was going to be a conference in Napier, and the Times protested agamst- business that should be done in Gisborne being transacted in Napier. But the latest report is that the Board intend to go even further, the members being summoned to Wellington. . It surely, apart from Gisborne’s claim to be made the headquarters of the Board, cannot be regarded as an economical procedure for the Board members to be called upon to travel the country in search of a meeting place. We had hoped that when the members of the

Board were chosen they would have proceeded to work without delay. It has taken nearly, a year to decide upon the personnel "of the Board provided for by Act of Parliament. Will it take as Jong for the members to get to work ? While this scandalous system of “ laihoa ” is in vogue the millstone, in the form of heavy expenses, increases 'in weight. It lias not yet been made dear how the

present enormous liability is to ho got rid of so that the land can be put into profitable occupation, and it is a still more difficult problem

bow, if. procrastination is to reign supreme,, the increasing expenses are to be met. It lias been made public that the members of the Board are each to draw a salary of £IOO a year ; we presume they will also be allowed travelling expenses. The in-

terests’ of the district and of all concerned is to have the land settled as soon as possible, and this certainly cannot be accelerated by members of the Board rushing round the country instead of getting to work with the least possible delay. Is it necessary

hat, in addition to the other costs

large travelling expenses should be saddled on to the existing liability? We would ask plainly, Is this to be smother case of the “Great Taihoa?”