NATIVE LAND PROBLEM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 521, 27 November 1912, Page 5

NATIVE LAND PROBLEM.

The native land problem, and the various issues associated therewith, is of such immense importance to this district that it is no wonder many people are distinctly disappointed at the small progress which has b~en made towards giving finality to a question which merely grows worse as times goes on. A3 far as this district is concerned it is not so much the main problem as the side issues which require immediate attention. By degrees concessions have been extracted from the authorities concerning the acquisition by Europeans of native lands under reasonable terms, and the past five years has seen the settlement of the greater portion of the Maori-owned rural land of the King Country. Little more i 3 necessary to make that settlement entirely satisfactory, but that little of the highest possible importance. In respect to the town lands a different story is to be told and the sooner definite action is taken to give effect to resonable and equitable demands the better will be the future for all parties concerned. A tremendous amount of generalisation is indulged in by many in writing and speaking on the native land question, and, unfortunately, the majority of our politicians have acquired tho habit of considering it academically. Abstract theory on the subject dominates Parliament, and until our representatives are awakened to the fact that a grave national problem stands ready for solution, and that it is their urgent duty to apply themselves to the task, there is little possibility of anything being accomplished Unfortunately, in addition to the lethargy due to lack of personal interest many of our politicians have a lurking suspicion that the people who are deeply concerned, and who are consequently agitating in the matter stand to gain something at the expense of the natives, or of the State. Thus we have the influences of ignorance and suspicion operating to retard progress and prevent the adjustment of matters with which the interests of the whole Dominion are deeply involved. Native legislation has become so complex, and of such a patchwork character, that it is utterly impossible for people at a distance to understand how the existing state of affairs is hampering progress; to what degree it is menacing the prosperity of both Europeans and natives, as well as that of the Dominion as a whole. Inseparably associated with the central issue is the question of roading in which an immense amount of capital is represented. In view of the conditions under which Crown settlement has taken place in the district, much of the roading which has been 1 carried out to serve the Crown lands has also opened up native lands,and the benefit derived by the native owners is very considerable. A case in point is the Te Kuiti-A.wakino road, the first twenty miles of which traverse native-owned land. A few sections on this road vested in the Maori Land Board were offered lor lease about two years ago,and realised from 5s to 9s an acre annual rent. Considering that the land was in its virgin state, the price is significant of the value given to it by roading. Similar examples can be cited throughout the district. Much of the land on the eastern side of the railway from Te Kuiti is native owned and occupied by Europeans,and practically no roading has been done in the locality. According to a recent Ministerial pronouncement it is not intended that the Government should road or contribute to the roading of native-owned lands. The obvious intention is to throw the whole of the roading responsibility on to the land which receives benefit from the work. How utterly impossible it is to give effect to such a principle is manifested in the case of Te Ahuroa road on which a Government grant of £I2OO has just been made. This road traverses native-owned land for a distance of about ten miles beiore it reaches Crown lands, and the Rangitoto road which gives access to the southern portion of the Rangitoto settlement is in a very similar position. It is obvious to anyone acquainted with the conditions that any roading carried on by the Government must beneficially affect native lands, while on the other hand any comprehensive work carried on by settlers occupying native land must considerably enhance the value of Crown lands. Everything considered, there are strong reasons to advocate that the matter should be immediately taken in hand by the Government, and an equitable distribution of responsibility established. The paramount need of the State is settlement on the best possible lines, and it should be no difficult matter to formulate a policy to satisfactorily deal with the position. It is understood the Native Minister is to visit the district in the near