THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1907. THE MAORI AND HIS LAND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 26, 19 April 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1907. THE MAORI AND HIS LAND.

There has been considerable controversy respecting the adaptabiltty of the Maori for farming pursuits, and, as is the case in all arguments, much useless eloquence has been indulged in by advocates both for and against. The only person who has not offered an opinion, either written or spoken, on the subject is the Maori himself. The old time Maori loved his korero, and no abler master of rhetoric than he could be found. The present day Maori is also addicted to speech-mak-ing upon occasion, but one of his most striking characteristics is his shrewd common sense with regard to his own affairs. Partisan speeches may be made, and extreme opinions voiced, by those who consider they have the only solution of the Native difficulty at their finger ends. Still the Maori continues, and probably a greater and growing proportion become educated and acquainted with European methods, and better fitted to take up the burden of equal responsibility with their Pakeha friends. Extremists have their uses, and probably justify their existence, by providing contrasts so that reasonable people may find common sense and equity midway between two hotly advocated points. In this manner the solution of the Native problem may be approximately determined. Every Maori is certainly not adapted for farming pursuits, just as every Pakeha is not, though the great majority of the latter have a closely cherished idea that their particular forte is something the other fellow is doing. The more advanced Natives, who have been brought into close contact with European methods of concentration and application, thoroughly realise the value of organised work. Being possessed of land, and possibly the means to work it, they are able to show results for work. It is not too much to say that with further experience and improved facilities these will become good and intelligent farmers. At present it must be admitted this only applies to one class of Maoris, as far as the King Country is concerned. Still there is a rapidly increasing population of young men growing up, who are fairly entitled to be considered. The rising generation for the most part have had the benefit of schooling, and, with sufficient encouragement, a good proportion would be able to farm decently. The older Natives, whose habits have become fixed, and who have been debarred from utilising their lands owing to restrictions placed thereon by

the Government, have also to be considered. That the said restrictions operated in one sense for their benefit, inasmuch as their lands were thereby conserved for them, does not alter the fact that thereby their mode of living was also influenced, and habits of thriftlessness and carelessness encouraged. " The leopard cannot change his coat," and it is useless to expect middleaged and old men to become transformed into alert, and self-reliant individuals at the behest of the authority which has helped largely to mould them into beings without an objective ; whose sole aim in life is to raise sufficient pork and potatoes in summer, to tide them over winter. The Native Land Commission is expected to sit at Te Kuiti next week, and the question, as it effects the King Country, will probably be further dealt with. Mr Ngata is naturally an advocate in favour of the Maoris retaining as much land as they possibly can. At the same time it should be borne in mind, that, broadly considered, the progress of the colony is dependent upon the settlement of the land. If it can be shown that, with reasonable assistance, the Maori can utilise the land profitably, £he should certainly be assisted. In all other aspects the welfare of both races should be taken as a guide. The land exists usefully, only when it is producing up to its reasonable capacity. If the Maori can accomplish that, there is every reason why he should be allowed to do so. If not, other means should be adopted to provide : for the Natives, and the land opened for settlement at the earliest (possible moment. The rich lands of the King Country have too long been allowed to remain unproductive, and the district and colony have suffered accordingly. It is to be hoped the Commission will be the means of definitely abolishing the existing conditions, and causing the land to be brought into a state of productiveness. The latter is the chief issue for all.