THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, JULY 5, 1909

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 170, 5 July 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, JULY 5, 1909

IN another column is published a lettpr which is deserving of the consideration of all who have at heart the desire to see our district progress and the broader hope of seeing a satisfactory solution of the great Native Question. The idea that the practical solution of the question lies in educating the Southern people to a knowledge ot the situation such as is only gained by close and intimate association with concrete cases, is not entirely new, |though the suggestion to invite the Southern Press and Politicians to come and study the subject where it lives, carries with it a refreshing breath of originality. Why not? Too long have our members lived up to the idea that they are elected merely to conserve the interests of their own particular electorate, irrespective of whether those interests conflict with those of any other electorate, or even with the broader interests of the Dominion. The Native quuestion is one which is of 1 burning and insistent importance to the whole Dominion, and vitally affects the progress and prosperity of the State. Government lethargy and the lack of statesmanlike action, or the comprehension of the great issues at stake, have contributed towards the general muddle into which Native affairs in general have admittedly drifted. It is hard to conceive that the patriotic New Zealander be

his home and interests in Auckland or in Otago, can regard with equanimity the existence of unsolved problems, which affect not only whole provinces, but carry with them the destiny of a fine race. This, however, is what we have been doing and it is high time the general feelings of placid satisfaction was replaced by sentiments befitting a people who talk smugly of "the whiteman's burden" and the destiny of our great and glorious Empire. An Empire can only rise to greatness and glory by its people willingly and cheerfully, and intelligently recognising their responsibilities, assuming their burdens, and working steadily and faithfully at the tasks which fall to the lot of each portion of the Empire. To the lot of the New Zealand bom has fallen a task worthy of his best efforts, and only by accomplishing it on lines of justice and liberty can he justify his claim to rank among those worthy to bear the "whiteman's burden." Unfortunately for themselves those who have intimate knowledge of the Native Question are at present bearing an intolerable burden unnecessarily and their efforts to adjust matters are frustrated by the apathy and ignorance of people to whom the existence of the question is but an abstract term. From the peculiar circumstances which attended the colonisation of the country the Southern portion of New Zealand has been free from special disabilities, such as have affected the North, and djverse conditions tended to keep separate the interests and ambitions of the people. In view of the general progress and expansion which has taken place of recent years, conditions have become common as far as advancement is concerned. There remains the great Native Question —a question so large and comprising such important issues and responsibilities, that it is imperative that the Dominion as a whole should possess a thorough knowledge of the position in order to intelligently consider the best and most equitable method of dealing with the interests at stake. Our cor-

I respondent, who probably understands Southern sentiment on the question, evidently assume") that until Southern members are brought face to face with some of the problems which exist, they will continue to air academical theories, which appear elegant in print, but are entirely useless in practice and merely tend to binder those who are desirous of putting an end to the present unsatisfactory state of affairs.

This view is probably correct and any attempt to bring the public face to face with the actual conditions is worthy of consideration.