ACCESS TO NATIVE LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 444, 2 March 1912, Page 3

ACCESS TO NATIVE LANDS.

To the Editor. Sir,—The above article in your issue of 21st inst. opens up a truly "burning" question. I pointed thi3 out to several members of the Reform party on the occasion of their visit to Te Kuiti. Nearly five years ago, the writer took up a native lease, in all simplicity. The land abutted on a river and road reserve. This was, and is, its natural access. The river and road reserve formed the frontage of an adjoining L.I.P. section. The owner of thia L.I.P. section has lately obtained improved access to his holding (a special road being surveyed for him) while the writer, who is now the freeholder of the original native land, can obtain no relief whatever, as regards access. The department admits that the road is a public highway, but there it ends. One department refers the writer to another department, and each in turn disclaims responsibility. Part of the road is cleared and part is still in bush. In the olden days it was the squatter who tried to debar from access the selector who had dared to invade his "run." Later it was the Mauri who denied to the pakeha access to lands which he had dared acquire from other natives. But now it is the Government that passively stands by and watches a settler trying to make a home, for five yearn, struggling to gain access to the lands which he dared to acquire (not in contravention of, but in compliance with the law. It is as though it were said, "Well, you have dared to deal in native lands" (though done in strict accordance with existing statutes) "no help shall be given you to gain access even though it adjoins existing roads." A few years ago the then Minister of Lands wrote somewhat as follows:—"It appears from your letter you hold either a lease or a freehold of some native land. It is not the duty of the Government to provide access to lands thu3 held." Is there not class distinction here.'? My L.I.P. neighbour, who nad access abundant, obtains freer access, and I who am equally a bona fide settler, and farmer, am snubbed when I simply ask for my natural outlet to be opened up. Is it surprising that I repent having invested my capital in a country that has such a "Ne Temere" decree as regards native land selectors, and wish that I had sought the more congenial shores of Australia, where every inducement and facility is given to a settler to develop his holding, no matter how acquired or what the tenure.—l am, etc., NE TEMERE.