CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 33, 13 February 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

CORRESPONDENCE.

To" the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Sir, —On reading an account of tlie proceedings of tlie meeting in Napier relative to the leasing and occupying of the Maori lands, and also the consideration of the new regulations for Maori Government, as expounded by Mr. Crosbie Ward, it struck me that some misapprehension existed in the minds of many then present as to the real intention of Government on those all important matters.

I distinctly understood from Mr. Ward’s exuviations on those subjects (Dr. Hatchings and Mr. Yates, having been present, can bear me out in my statements, or correct me if in error), that in respect of the muchdesired Ngaruroro plains, he did not contemplate for one moment that they should be occupied by squatters for sheep runs, but that during the time that must necessarily elapse before the natives could be in a position to sub-divide then’ claims and give satisfactory titles to Europeans to rent for the purposes of agriculture, they would be instructed to divide them into three portions —upper, middle, and lower, the latter two divisions ultimately to be devoted exclusively to agricultural purposes, but temporarily to permit them to be grazed by parties holding farms in the neighbourhood. The upper portion to be used as a general commonage. This, I think, would be satisfactory ; but at the same time I am much inclined to the opinion of those who hold that it would be desirable that the General Government, in the name of the Governor, should rent these lands from the Maories, and re-let them to European tenants. Moreover, I strongly urged upon Mr. Ward the necessity (upon whatever terms the natives were permitted to lease their waste lands) that all their tenants should be liable to a certain fine or charge for the purposes of Provincial revenue, to supply the deficiency which must arise in the land returns from the carrying out of the new system. Mr. Ward fully acquiesced in the reasonableness of this, otherwise the squatters on native lands would be infinitely better off than those who had ever scrupulously obeyed the laws, and who, to protect themselves had incurred heavy burdens in the purchase of large freehold blocks. In the matter of Maori Government, I clearly understood, that with the rights and privileges of British subjects, the natives would have to submit to the duties and responsibilities attached thereto, and that those objects would be mainly attained by employing the machinery now existing amongst the Maories, which would be made to work with British forms. Now, as the Governor’s plans are to rule and guide the natives by their own acts and councils, subordinate to imperial authority, I do not perceive how any other system could well be adopted, consistent with the recognition of the aborigines as the rightful lords of the soil, endowed with all the rights of British subjects. It is too late to enter upon the question of abstract right. Doubtless it goes much against the grain of many of us to see people, many of whom were so recently in open rebellion, so tenderly treated. The fact is, it is a question of expediency; war is very costly and grievous ; should it again be forced upon us, depend upon it his Excellency has determined the Maories shall be so wholly in the wrong, that no parly shall have ground to raise a cry of sympathy for them, or to stay the chastising hand. Therefore, again I say, my friends, support the Governor ; have faith in his wisdom and great experience ; wait patiently the development of his entire plans. (There must be some reserve at present.) Bely on it that in wishing to reclaim and civilize the natives, he will not lose sight of what is due to her Majesty’s true born loyal British subjects located in these islands. Sir, my subject is most suggestive, but space and prudence will not permit my amplifying further. Feeling assured that at this juncture, forbearanee is the imperative duty of all, I remain, sir, Faithfully yours, G. W ORGAN. Waipuna, Jan. 29th, 1862.