THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, MAY 1, 1894.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 734, 1 May 1894, Page 4

THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, MAY 1, 1894.

Whatever differences of opinion may obtain about the policy of the present Ministry, generally, there should not be any of moment regarding the opening - up of Native lands in the North Island, and the settlement of people thereon. And yet very widely divergent views are held, and expressed, on the two questions referred to. On the one hand slavish supporters of the Ministry paint the visit paid by the Premier to the Native country in the brightest hues. The bitterly atagonistic opponents of the Ministry laugh the whole matter to scorn ; belittle the actions of the Premier in a weak, silly, manner. To neither of these opinions can moderate and reasonable men subscribe, for both cases are overstated. The pessimists are, however, clearly in a false position. Every Ministerial visit to the recesses of the Native Country must, perforce, assist in opening up the land, and everything tending, in a legitimate manner, to unlock the fastness, so to speak, of the central zone of the North Island of a surety recommends itself to the commendation of the majority of Colonists ; all, indeed, who are not rabidly pessimistical. The country may not be ail that it has been represented to be, a second Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey. It cannot, however, be of little worth, or the Maoris would not prize it as they do. It is quite evident, therefore, that in the bands of enterprising colonists it could, and would, he rendered profitably reproductive, alike to the individual and to the State. What is worth cutting up into moderate sized holdings, and could be placed on the market on reasonable terms would soon be taken up—good land, at a cheap rate, or, at any rate, reasonable rate, is wanted. The present holders are following a dog - in - the - manger course. They are not improving the land, and they are preventing others

from doing so. Thus, it is clear, a valuable colonial asset, is, under existing circumstances, nothing but a waste. The sooner that state of affairs is remedied the better for the Colony, and the Natives. Ample provision should be made for all the Maoris concerned; that done, and every possible chance of individual injury guarded against, the condition of the Natives would be rendered infinitely better than it now is. Everything tending in that direction is worthy of approbation, and as some of the Premier's late efforts have, apparently, had that object in view his actions should, at least, be treated fairly, and not in the carping spirit of those who are ever paraphrasing - the expression that no good thing corneth out of Nazareth.