NATIVE LAND QUESTION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 194, 27 September 1909, Page 2

NATIVE LAND QUESTION.

♦ The existence of the great Native Question in the Auckland Province is making iftelf keenly felt and steps are being taken to place the position before the public The following manifesto issued by the Northern Land League speaks for itself: — "This league has resolved upon issuing the following manifesto and respectfully ask your support and sympathy in the cause of reform: — 1. —The condition under which Natives hold their lands are utterly unsatisfactory because: a —They cannot sell; b -They cannot lease, exc?pt under difficult restrictions; c —They cannot themselves effectively occupy their own lands, because they are held in common.

2.—The quantity of land held as waste country by the Natives in the North is out of all proportion to their requirements. 3. —Rates are not collectable on this great area of Native land, the value of which is being enhanced by the expenditure of rates paid by European occupiers, and by subsidies and grants by the State. 4.--The Native owners of lands, under a poilcy w r hich crushes out all hope of developing the country by the Europeans, are themselves brought to beggary. 5. —This native land policy has been continuous in its effects for twenty ycarg?, has lowered the character of the native, has distincly prevented progress in the districts affected, and is a cause of unemployment. G.--The native land laws, special and general, arc so numerous that no one can understand them. 7. When bush lands are taken over by the Maori Land Council for administration they are offered to the public on terms which a capitalist only could successfully comply with, which are unduly favourable to the native owner, and, in some cases, e.g. the Karae block in Hokianga, thp land is valued at nearly three hundred per cent, more than the Crown lands of the same quality in the asme block. 8. —Native owners of land cannot be compelled to fence, to keep, down noxious weeds, or to pay rates, and although nominally owners of wealth in land, they are penniless and seek charitable aid and old age pensions. I

9.—The country, wherever there is much Native land, is at a standstill, the Natives are ruined, and the Europeans are prevented from developing the resources of the county.

Reform is therefore urgently needed and we believe that the only effective reform is to be found in the Government taking over the whole of the unoccupied Native lands and treat them the same as Crown lands, us'.ng the revenue from such lands in the interest of the Native race in such manner is ato be equitable to both the ; European and Maori. The annual subscription to this league has been marie the nominal sum of tv.-o shillings and .sixpence, which may, u so desired, be paid to the "Ho:;ianc,' r » Times," Kohukohu, or the leagues . secretary W. Grounds, Broadwood. j