King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1913 THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 548, 8 March 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1913 THE MINISTERIAL VISIT.

The impending visit of the Minister for Native Affairs to this district Bhould take rank as a highly important event. Representing an entirely new phase of political thought to that under which the conditions governing the administration of native lands have been evolved, there is every reason to hope that the representations of King Country residents will be listened to with view to remedying any evils which may exist. Judging from the recent utterances of the Native Minister he is thoroughly alive to the importance of'the question which so gravely affects the progress of our district. There must be points of detail, however, in which the local conditions differ to a considerable extent with the conditions existing in less progressive districts. In the King Country development has been extremely rapid, and native lands have , been so largely dealt with that the question of legislating for the opening up of the native-owned lands does not call for great consideration. In any case the virgin native lands do not present any serious difficulties which cannot be readily overcome by intelligent and sympathetic administration. The position with respect to lands which have already been dealt with and to which access is urgently required is a matter which calls for the earnest consideration of both the Minister andjdie settlers. The principle which has been affirmed by the Government concerning the roading of native lands is the broad general principle which is applied to all lands that the cost of roading should be borne by the lands receiving benefit. In a general sense the applica tion of the principle mentioned on an equitable basis is possible. In this district, however, where Crown and native blocks exist side by side, it is obvious that all roading must benefit to a greater or less degree both Crown and native lands. This has been the experience in the past, and much native-owned land has received benefit from roads constructed by the Government to give access to Crown lands. In the case of the lands to the east of the railway from Te Kuiti and Otorohanga a problem has arisen which threatens to be a drawback to the progress of the district. Much of the land is held under lease from the natives, and no provision has been made in respect to roading. The Government recognises no responsibility, and the settlers in order to properly work their holdings will have to undertake their own roading schemes. If the principle enunciated by the Government is to be applied in the case under review the native owners should bear the responsibility. The owner, however, in this instance disclaims any responsibility, averring that in his agreement to lease his land the lessee took the property as it was, and no conditions with respect to roading were imposed. Another point to be considered in the same connection is the tact that in many instances the original leases have been sold to settlers at a good will, an indication that the lease was a marketable and profitable thing for the original holder without any roading conditions. With a very considerable show of justification the owner can claim indemnity from roading liability as long as the lease remains in force. The person who does require every consideration; the bona fide settler who may have purchased the godwill o p a lease is the person who will apparently have to bear the greateat part of whatever burdens attach to the position. He must have access to carry on his business, and as time J passes and his expenditure for improve-

ments mounts up he muni, havo groatly improver] roading facilities in order to pay interest on his expenditure,arid earn a living. Krom hir) point of view the roads muHt bo made whoever has to bear the com!;. If the Go-

vernment's principle is carried out the bona fide Rettler is the man who will have to make the roads, irrespective of the fact that benefit will accrue to the speculator who is »nly holding his land until roada arc made; to the owner who leased his land without liability for roading, and to the Crown who owns land in the vicinity of any native-owned lamia which require roading. That thin is hardly in keeping with the spirit ui equity need not be stated, and it, is reasonably certain that if the matter were taken in hand by the Government a reasonable and equitable adjustment of losponsibilily could bo made. There are other points to be brought before the Minister for con sideration, but if the reading native lands is advanced a atop as the result'of the vhit t| K , .settlers will have every reason to feel thankful.