THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1907.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 32, 31 May 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1907.

The proposals of the Ngatimaniapoto Maoris, which were submitted to the Native Land Commission on Tuesday last may be taken as an indication that the Natives as a body recognise the desirability of having their lands settled and brought into a state of productiveness instead of lying waste as has been the case for years past. There is nothing new in the suggestions set forth ; they are the same as have been urged upon the Government by progressive members of the Native race for years past, and it is safe to say had the progressive Maori been heeded in the past, there would now have been no " great black blot " to dramatically refer to. The fact of the land being settled by Maori or Pakeha hardly matters, as far as the country is concerned, providing the land is being cultivated and is making a reasonable return. The totally inexcusable position is having the land lying idle, and being a burden instead of an assistance to the State. The fact that the owner of the land has the first and best right to it cannot be forgotten, and it is to be hoped that means will be found of assisting the Natives to make the best use of their lands. Among advanced races the fact is broadly recognised that the j

only excuse for holding land is the working of it, but before this doctrine can be applied to the Maori he should, in all fairness, be accorded every assistance and facility for complying with the conditions. Much detail will require to be mastered; and ways and means evolved, for giving effect to the proposals mentioned, but there seems to be no reason why they should not be adopted. The Maori has to be considered in any case, and the best way of considering him is surely to be found in giving him the opportunity to work out his own salvation. The chief asset is to hand in the Native-owned lands, and the question of method may safely be left to the broad counsels of the most advanced sections of both races. A feature of the proposals, which did not find favour with the Chief Justice, was the entire removal of the restrictions in the case of capable Maoris. There is no doubt that a considerable section of the Native race is quite as well able to manage its own affairs as the cleverest of Europeans, and it is galling for these to be placed on the same footing as the most ignorant of their race. Such restrictions can hardly be termed a beneficial influence to the progressive man, and are certainly calculated to cramp his energies and prevent himi feeling on the same footing as his Pakeha brethren. Whatever may be the destiny iof the Native race, any scheme for the betterment of the people, in order to be effective, must have for its object' the raising of the Native to the level of the Pakeha, and the placing of members of both races on an equal footing in all matters. Advancement is only made by liberty, and not until the Natives is free from all restrictions can he feel that he is his own man, and a responsible unit in the land of his forbears, living and working in like manner to the Pakeha, and having with him common interests in all things, and a common destiny. In order to feel thus they must have a common liberty.