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Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 907, 4 June 1903, Page 4

not try to briny him to be a credit to the State. (Applause.) The old Maoris had not bad many maxims, but had adhered to them. The pakeha had many maxims, and how many had they broken. (Voice : Every one of them —laughter.) The speaker eloquently referred to the Maoris of the earlier days, and told of how whenever the traveller saw a labyrinth of smoke curling through the trees he was sure of a hearty welcome and hospitality. (Applause.) He told of how generous they had been in giving endowments for educational and other good purposes, not only for their own children, but also giving ungrudgingly for the education of European children. When, through misunderstanding, trouble did arise who had stood up lor the maintenance of authority'? Who did the few settlors in this district look to for help ? They had looked loyal natives who had stuck to the Flag and their sovereign. (Applause.) And it was not too late in the day, when they wore dealing with the question of native lands, to have some little consideration for this remnant of a grand people, so that the lands could be utilised for settlement, and the Maoris’ interest also be regarded. lie claimed that this could be done under the Maori Councils—that the best interests of the people could be served by strict and faithful adherence to the policy on the statute-book. Instead of obstacles being put in their way and then being hostilely criticised they should receive help and sympathy. (Applause.) The spirit of the dav waH co-oneration. and if Europeans

aay was co-operuuuu, auu u and Maoris co operated on the lines laid down in the existing legislation there was no need to fear the result. The lvingite party had now corne into the circle, oust, west, north and south had joined in ono united body, and with such u united body something must be done. (Applause.) The work performed under the Act up to the present time had been a good deal. On the West Coast 58,000 acres were being offered for settlement, and ho believed the whole lot would go off. If it was possible there why not elsewhere. In the Wanganui district they had had voluntarily handed over a quarter of a million acres of land. In tho north of Auckland they' had 400,000 acres offered ; but the title had to be dealt with, which was slow. In the King Country they would soon have 700,000 put into the hands of the Councils. Tho chief delay would be in signing tho papers. He admitted that on the East Coast they had been behindhand, but that was because of tho insufficiency of funds granted by Parliament. Therefore they had to draw Presidents from tho ranks of the public servants. That source was soon exhausted. Mr Carroll then wont on to announce that the appointment of President of tho local Maori Land Council had been offered to Mr E. Noble Jones, the announcement

being greeted with applause. There had, tho speaker continued, been moro done during tho last five or six years in the settlement of tho nativo land trouble in this district than people were aware of. People bad for years risked their money in gambling transactions in land. Practices grew up that have not tho most pleasant flavor when tested in tho law courts. Tho result was that some of our best settlers who had borne the heat and burden of the day had to leave our shores and give their laud ovor to someone else. The speaker then gave an outline of tho past history of nativo land matters. Eeforring to tho Validation Court, he claimed that it had done good work in giving good freehold titles to many people. As to the Wi Pere Carroll trust, he said everyone had been blamed but those who had blamed others. (Laughter.) Ho spoke highly of the men into whose bands had been given the dealing with the land, and he believed that tho Board, with the (powers now given them, would be ablo to deal satisfactorily with the land. The Board had agreed to out up 2000 acres of Paremata, and other land would be cut up when needed. He predicted a happy future for Tolago Bay, which would be revolutionised. Things there, with their facility for dairying, would bo booming in a short time. He mentioned other blocks of native laud that would soon bo cut up. Lands outsido the Trust Board were likely to be put into tho hands of the Council. As to Mangatu, since 1900 it had been cut up, 36,000 acres leased, broken in, and stock fattened within that time. Then there was the area taken up by Mr Foster, and tho other day tho balance had been taken up by Messrs Eutledge. They wolcomed such sterling settlers. Men who can stand what settlers had to combat with in Australia had grit, and should get on well under the better conditions of this colony. (Applause.,) There was still 200,000 acres in the Waiapu end not yet brought under the Court ; there was about 100,000 acres worked by the natives themselves. The latter, who were working the land, said they were prepared to pay the same as their European brethren. He intended to bring in a Bill next session to provide for that. (Applause.) Continuiug, he referred to the excellent but unostentatious work of the Native Committees. After dealing with this subject at some length, ho concluded with very hopeful expressions of opinion. When the lands allotted were thrown open and settled, it would be for the then Native Minister to give attention to sorno scheme by which the natives would make use of the land left in their own hands.

Referring to our industries, Mr Carroll urged that greater attention should bo givou to dairying. The Government had consented to make Gisborne a grading port—(applause)—which should be a great incentive to the development of the industries. Seieulific instruction would be given, such as selection of breeds, rearing, feeding, etc. The grader would have the latest information, would always be among tbe people, and they would bo getting information that would enable them to put the industry on a better footing. Referring to the meat industry he said that tlie Commissioner, Mr Cameron, would soon be in the colony, and tbo subject of tbo report would have to be discussed. In taking up the subject the Government had tfao desire of the people at heart ; they wished to obtain due benefits for producer, shippers, and all others connected with the trade, and they should be unanimous. Details of tbo procedure could not bo settled until Mr Cameron’s arrival, and there could be no better opinion than his as to what should be done. He believed that Parliament would seine the opportunity. (Applause.) In regard to future legislation Mr Carroll indicated that amendment would be made in tbe system of education, so that the children of poorer people would be given greater opportunities to advance. In concluding, Mr Carrol! dealt at length with the question of the liquor traffic, especially as applied to the Ring Country, the view he held in connection therewith being that it should be under the sole control of the Government there. A full report of his comments on the subject will appear to morrow. Mr E. P. Joyce, in u few well chosen remarks, moved a vote of thanks to Mr Carroll for bis address and continued confidence in him and in the Government. The motiou was seconded by Mr Rees in a forcible speech, and was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Mayor terminated the meeting.