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Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1591, 23 October 1905, Page 1

MAORI LAND BILL.

(Wellington Post.)

Tn place of the unwieldy and unbusinesslike machinery of the Act of ipoo, a council of three members is to bo substituted for each district, one at least ol these members being a Maori. The appointments are all to be made by the Governor, aind as the result in ordinary cases may be expected to be that the administration will be vested in a Native Land Court Judge as President, with one pakeha assessor, the result will be not only a great improvement on th? existing system, but also as effective as any

alternative likely to bo suggested. But another change of far greater moment is contained in the Bill—a change which is not confined to the mere machinery of the administration, but ofEects a complete revolution in its objects and powers. The right of the Maori to allow his surplus land to. run to waste Until-it is smothored in uncleared noxious weeds and unpaid rates, to the detriment equally of himself and the colony at large, is to be taken away; and the principle for which wo have long contended—that thid land should bo vested in some public authority to manage it, let it, and account for the proceeds as a trustee —is to be recognised. The Bill proposes that in the first instance the discretion shall bo given to the Nativo Minister to define what land is, in his opinion, “ not required or not suitable for occupation by the Maori owners”; and the Governor, by Order-in-Council, may then declare such land to bo vested in the Maori Council, subject to all valid encumbrances, liens and interests. It will then be the duty of the Council to administer the land so vested as trustees for the native owners, and afte reserving any portions of it as ina.rnable reserves for the use and of the owners, or for fishing grounds, timber reserves, etc., to have the balance of the land classified, surveyed, and subdivided, and to let it in areas varying with the class of land for any term not exceeding 50 years. We are particularly pleased to note that in the disposal of these leases the principal of public auction or public tender is to be recognised, the upset rental being not less than 5 per cent, per annum on the capital value of the land. If the natives are to get the benefit of this sensible and business-like procedure, the pakeha will surely not remain content to throw away the good-will of his own leases by the wasteful immorality of the gambling method which at present prevails.