MAORI LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 24, 5 April 1907, Page 2

MAORI LANDS.

Views of Native Minister. The Hon. J. Carroll, during (lie course oi';m interview at ('hrislchurch, outlined some of his views with reference to the bringing of Native lauds into profitable occupation. In (he case of there being several owners in a block which il is considered advisable to keep intact, (he M inislcr advocated the employing of an experienced European to manage the properly. In other cases each owner's interest would be defined, and such owner would farm the land himself. h'rom the owner's poinl of view, the desirability of such a scheme can hardly be questioned. The most important feature to be considered in connection with the proposals is, undoubtedly, that of finance. The Minister apparently said nothingas (o the manner in which lie proposed to find the necessary capital to carry his ideas into effect. Without the necessary funds to work the properties to the very best advantage, a manager would have a Iryin,'-',' time, and the experiment, like other excellent schemes from the same cause, would end in failure. Moreover, il" the (loverument is to provide the necessary money, the manager would naturally be a (Government ofllcia). There is no douh) (hat excellent men for the positions might be obtained, but it is a mallei-of history in New Zealand that such positions might be tilled by unsuitable men. There are many other Ihin;vs In be considered in connection wiih the proposals, and until further information, as to ways and means, is provided by the Minister, it is hardly possible to form an opinion as to Ihc practical value of the ideas. However, judging from Ihc meagre outlines provided, il is safe lo assume that Mr Carroll has some aulhority for his slalemeni, other than the nebulous imaginings of his own mind. Some definite proposal may therefore be looked for in (he near fiilmv, and it will be iiilcreslinv, lo discover how il is proposed to surmount the many uii'licullics with which the Minister is confronted, in carrying his ideas to a practical issue.