The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 24, 1903. THE NATIVE LAND COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 950, 24 July 1903, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 24, 1903. THE NATIVE LAND COUNCIL.

We sincerely hope that the predictions made by. Mr W. L. Rees in regard to the success of the work of the Native Land Council ■will .Itae-fulfilled to the uttermost. It is gratifying to see that a start has been made under conditions that ■augur for the best. .The- Council has a great work before it, and can do much towards the progress of the district if it obtains and holds .the confidence:' of the natives, and ( zealously. applies itself to the tedious detail work. The greatest confidence is expressed as to the ability, integrity, and capacity, generally, of Judgo Jones for the position of President of the Council, and there is no doubt that in his hands the system will have a fair trial.- As we have repeatedly chided the Government on the protracted delays, iwe now congratulate them on the fact that a move is being made, though recognising' that the Council has a great task before it.- In native land ■matters we have regretted to note that our own gloomy predictions as to the Government policy have always been fulfilled to the letter—we wish that it were, otherwise. , The Trust Board that was to do so much in such a short space of time after .the long delay in making the appointments, is now, admittedly of no great service unless it is given increased powers. That position was so plain at the outset that the wonder is a practical man like the Premier .would be a consenting party to the waste of so much valuable time in haying something effective doneIt is to be sincerely hoped that , a remedy of some kind will be found before long, for. it is a great shame to have these matters drifting on in an interminable way. As to the Land Council, it is satisfactory, to know that a . fair trial will now. be .given to the policy, and that it will be through no want of effort on the part of the Council if the attempt fails. As Mr Rees pointed out, the work must be proceeded with cautiously. and therefore will necessarily be slow ; but the crucial test is as to whether the natives will have faith in the Council—o! which there ■is at present every indication —and in which case the benefit to the natives must soon become so 1 palpable that the land will be speedily, settled under. a tenure which cannot be popular, hut will ~he guaranteed—a very important matter in regard to native land. The Council certainly have the heartiest good wishes of the people of the, district that it may. be successful in dealing with tbd great task before it.