THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1909 NATIVE LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 162, 7 June 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1909 NATIVE LANDS.

I . L . | NOTWITHSTANDING that, m his ! recent policy speeches, the Prime Minister made no reference to the Native ; Land question, and despite the fact that the Native Minister has stated that no important measures dealing with the que ition will be introduced during the coming session of Parliament there is little doubt that the subject will be the medium of strong agitation, both by politicians and others interested in the settlement of what may be confidently termed the most important problem in the Dominion. Aa far as our own district is concerned the question of roads is so inextricably mixed up with the settlement of the Native Lands, that there is little hope of the district progressing as it should until Native lands are made liable for rating in the same manner as Euro-pean-owned lands. At the same time, it is indisputible that without dealing with the whole question and placing the Native owners in a position ito utilise their lands, the infliction of rates could not in fairness be advof cated. This phase of the question was broadly recognised at the recent conference of County Councils convened by the Raglan Council at Auckland, [ and the resolution passed by the conI ference, while stating the position clearly and advocating the principle of rating, threw the onus of devising a workable scheme on the Government. This is merely one of many issues being agitated by the various districts affected, and considering the importance of the interests at stake, the f statement by Mr Carroll that nothing of a comprehensive nature would be done is not reasroring. Public opinion is the strogest 'force in politics, and it is to be hoped the public will not rest until reasonable action by the Government is assured. It is lamentable to think that progress is to be cramped and fine districts retarded by the lethargy of indifferent politicians, and it is high time the Northern members combined on a question which is en tirely outside the realm of party politics, and which is of such vital imporance to the whole country.