BANQUET AT WAIROA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2012, 22 February 1907, Page 3

BANQUET AT WAIROA

Press Association. WAIROA, yesterday. Tho Hon. J. Carroll, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Ngata, and the Judges of the Natives Land Courts were entertained last night, Mr. Peter Wilson, the Mayor, in the chair. The Native Minister explained the forward movement in Maori land legislation. The constitution of the newly-created Land Boards was designed to shorten the settlement of the waste lands. The slow progress made in individualising titles and surveys of blocks retarded the settlement -of these lands. The Land Boards were designed to give a valid title on application to intending lessees. The properties^would be administered for the benefit of the Maori owners. He stated that the Government had determined to settle the Maoris on their own land, and where a surplus remained to dispose to Europeans. He referred-to the Land Bill, and said there were two ways of cutting up the large estates required for settlement, an increase of the graduated land‘ tax and the application of the limitation clause. He deprecated the cry of perpetual leaseholders for the freehold. Settlers under this tenure were placed on the land by the Government, and when in the midst of cried out for the freehold and the right to buy tlioir holdirfgis out at the original valuation. Thsi; ; Government did not intend to breflsk its contract with the people in disposing of these lands, and why should individuals attempt to shirk the carrying out of their part of the contract? The Government only held the land in trust for the people and would not be disturbed b- the clamor of the lease in perpetuity tenant for the freehold. Regarding the limitation of areas and the cutting up large holdings required for settlement, it would be, a less complicated method to increase the graduated tax and put up the Land Bill for a few years until the country was more prepared to receive it." It did not matter what plan was adopted if they secured the desired end, and that was land for the people. He indicated the nrobability of the Land Bill being, dropped. Mr. A. L. D. Fraser joined issue with Mr. Carroll over the land question, and declared himself an out-and-out freeholder. He instanced that all prosperous communities had the- freehold tennre for the individual. He declared the desire of the people Was to have their'own hit of laiut, and that the feeling for the freehold was too strong for any administration to combat. Re Native lands, he thought where possible tho Maoris should be settled on their own properties, and where they had surplus lands they should dispose of them ►and improve tlio holdings they -retained. The people were crying out for land, and unoccupied blocks must be thrown open. A progressive policy was being adopted in regard to Native lands, and soon large areas would he settled. Mr. Ngata said the Maori was always suspicious at the initiation of a new system, and regarded a new institution, suclf as the Native Land Boards, as some method of taking the land, away from them. The Maori could be as industrious a settlor as the European, as was instanced at Nuhaka, whore they had abandoned the communistic system and lived separately on their own sections, and carried on their own dairying. This went to prove the Maori was as capable as a European in farming matters. He declared himself as a leaseholder. Tiie Maoris now had more land than they could use, and were willing to lease the surplus to Europeans for terms. If when the lease terminated the Maoris had increased, tliev they could -resume the land. The difficulties of getting a title through the old methods wore responsible for Maori'indolence . The Maori in many cases could not get on to his own land, and his lot was harder than the European. There were over one and a half million acres of Native land, the title of which had never been investigated, yet the Maoris wanted the land as much as Europeans, but it was their own land tlioy wanted. If given opportunities of settling they would make good farmers. The Maori only wanted incentive, and the indolence for which lie was blamed would disappear. The speakers’ remarks re a progressive policy in Native land administration and _ tlio proposed throwing open of immense blocks which are idle in the district were received with applause.