NATIVE LAND POLICY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2106, 14 June 1907, Page 3

NATIVE LAND POLICY.

ADDRESS BY THE NATIVE MINISTER. A KORERO. A “Korero” oft tiro native land question eventuated at .the Native Land Court room yesterday morning, when the Hon. James Carroll addressed a fairly representative gathering of his people. Mr. Carroll, who spoke in the native tongue, led off by saying tho Government had done their best in endeavoring to place legislation on the statute book for the benefit of the native race, but they had continually found that the natives themselves were in opposition. The latter had come forward with unworkable contradictory requests, which would not be in their own interests. In this district complications had arisen by the Maoris dealing with their lands to Europeans on their own account. As a result the greater part of the land had been lost to them, and tho present meeting was to talk about the little they still owned. After a reference to the work of the Land Commission, of which Mr. Ngata, M.H.R., was a member, Mr. Carroll Baid the position of land which had been indivdualised to a single owner was as good as European land, and should bo worked by the fortunate owner. In reference to land remaining to the Natives, he thought legislation should be passed whereby such land would be utilised for the benefit of the Maoris and the colony at large. They, wanted some brief, plain, and explict Act, not one which was long, intricate, and almost incomprehensible.- Their lend should be handed to the Native Land Boards,

who would act as agents, out the land . up into, suitable sections, put it up to auction, and obtain the best I price, and provide a proper lease for | those taking it up. It was said that l the powers of the Maori Land Boards ?■ were not quite complete, and that . there wfls still some that should be given to them to enable them to decide about papakianga, homesteads,' etc. He agreed that this was puite . correct. The Maori should be thought of first in the disposal of his land. The Boards should decide the areas for papakiangas, and cultivations sufficient for the support of the Natives, and for farms, and the surplus should | be leased to the highest bidder. The ( Maoris would then have sufficient to f support themselves, whilst his rentij fwould assist him to cultivate his own. j portions of the land that he lived on. By leaving this to the Board the highest'market prices would be obtained. In the old days a proper •lease cost a considerable amount of money, but this expense would be done away with by vesting in the -Boards. The Boards could, do’ all the handling of their lands without expense, as they had-no signatures to . procure. The Board could give les- , sees a clear title, which would induce European settlers to give a little - more for the land. Monetary assist--4 anco could also be given to Natives f taking up farming, and the method of obtaining such should'be made more easy than it was at present; but only to such Natives who were willing to work, and who would make good farmers. Many Natives, whose » lands were not yet individualised, , were unable to obtain advances to 1 buy sheep and cattle to farm with be- ( cause they had no.title. They should ; endeavor to formulate some scheme “. whereby a good title should be given to them, so as to enable them tomorrow money. Money was the foundation of successful farming. This he thought should be done by vesting the land in the Board; and the owners applying to the Board for a lease upon a clear title. They had now come to the time when this should be done quickly and well in order to obtain good results. It woidd only be by getting this put through quickly that the Maori race might Jiopo t'o become farmers and citizens. ’this was the cause of the Europeans’ success, and some suitable legislation should be formulated and put into force. The success of the European on the land was that the monoy ho made he invested judiciously, whilst the money that the Maoris received they squandered. .Tho easiest way, he added, would be to borrow: money-"from the Government, as they would thus get it on longer terms of payment.' The Boards, should bo separate from the Crown Lands Boards. He continued : “There are some lands in which the owners cannot agree as to their portions. I say the easiest way would • be to hand the land over to the Board, because it woidd not trouble about the respective portions, but would get tho land brought into use; those using the land would pay all the owners, who would then benefit according to their respective shares.” It was the Land Commission’s work to rocommend how the idle lands should be dealt with. Some Europeans arguod that Maoris should be given a free hand to deal with then land, but the results would be poor; . the Natives would lose their inheritance, spend the money obtained therefor, and becomo a burden on the State. Others again said tho land . should be taken from them, as They ..nid no rates, or that it sliouUlgftbe. taken over wholly and thrown open ' for settlement. Tho reason for. all •the dissatisfaction about the way the Natives handled tlieir properties was that: the latter got no- assistance fo farm properly. Some Act to render j such assistance was the way to ini- / prove tilings, an pi lie hoped Parlia--1 ment would pass such a measure. (A ?lr! al Apiraiia Ngata, M.H.R., was called upon. In congratulating Mr, Wi Bore'dn his appointment to the Upper House, he remarked that they cciild consider themselves well represented wtih three Maori members from tho one district. Regarding the Native Land Commission’s work the: had to hand in their: report to the Governor and he could not at this juncture divulge its contents. He, pointed out that the Europeans did non seek the land in cultivation by the Natives, bnt the largo tracts that were not inoccupation. Enumerating the various; suggestions made by Europeans as ;<> dealing! with Native ■ lands, he mentioned that Mr, Massey sail to put"them on tho same footing as tho pakoha, only reserving suffi- " ' eieiit for the Natives’ mai iitejiaiiee. But tho point was Mr. Massey omitted to say what was sufficient. The pakehas took a peculiar view of the matter. '1 hey added up the whole area of Native land in the colony, counted the number of Natives, and - . thii' sought to show that the Maoris had too much land. But they forgot that .quite a number of those Maoris - had very small interests indeed m lend, if the titles were searched : would reveal that very lew ISatives held excessive areas. . Mr. Carroll had hit the nail on the head in say- . iug that the Maoris generally wove

ruthor slow to ombrnco tho opportunity of disposing of their lands through tho Boards. Still, thoy had had such a bitter experience in the past in eel noction with Native land legislation that thoy might he pardoned it they hesitated until quite sure that Che Hoard would deal oxpeditiouslj efficiently with tho lands vested in it.

He ditl not refer to any particular one but' to tile Boards as a’ whole. Ho was sorry that owing to the illness bl Sir Robert Stout tho Commis-

sion would not. come to Gisborne; tins district, in his opinion was one of tho first- that should bo considered.

.Regarding tlio contention that Natives- should havo a free hand to deal with their lands, tho main drawback was that they did not know whom they wore dealing with. For instanco on the West Coast some Natives had been practically bought over and wore prccuring leases for their principals. Personally he hold the view that the best method was to put the land up at auction, which with a clear title offering would ensure competition that would bring the full value. This would obviate tho anxiety to find a suitable lessee. As to advances it was time the Government devised

srmo means of assisting Natives to taun. He had a suspicion that, given the best possible title, there atuld still be considerable hesitation in the part of the State lending dopc rfinent-in making advances to uaoris. It it were argued, as it was, i hat the Native should bo given a ireo hand, surely tho argument showed they were entitled to be trusted with advances on security. If the v.Lvernmont desired to buy Native •and they should take their chance Hi tho open market and pay full lalue. Maoris of the King Country* nad often complained that ono department of the Government valnecf the land and another Department ..amo along and snapped it up at this valuation. Yv here, thoy asked, was t lie fairness of this? The system was wrong and he would oppose Government resumption of (Tie East o'i ast. Ho favoured tho idea of the -dnlioka Natives who held a meeting selected certain of their numbers who ■'•'ere able to farm and cultivate land, ~iul requested the Commission to roiorvo a certain area for them to woi’k. (-Applause). Ihe Hon. Wi Pore, in a brief speech, hoped the Native Minister and Mr. Ngata would that, day complete - tho matter finally, and have a dill passed that would close the gates completely, because tho years were going by. Acts had been passed. ,n cry one of which was to settle the Native laud question finally, hut- still thoj were worse ofF than "over they ;ad been The Boards were'" very good for lands owned by a number of Maoris, because if their individual •l.forests were to be out out the cost ;n survey, court, and other fees would ruin the individual, and probaj!y by heaping up expenses, deprive um of any interest in tho land at alb they wanted this made easier, and ilso assistance to enable them to farm heir lands; further, to enable the younger generation to take up farmT’g'pursuits, and to make regulations -ci.dering it easier to deal with the .amis.

Mr. Paratene Ngata mentioned dint he had taken full notes and ’•'ould be pleased to tell his people, ho Ngatiporous, what had been said. Several others spoke—very point'd h the reporter inferred from the gestures and laughter which ensued—md the Korfero broke up at 1 p.m.