The Native Land Question.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 380, 25 September 1908, Page 2

The Native Land Question.

A MEETING OF PROTEST.

There was an attendance of about 25 people ia Scott’s hall, Kawhia, on Thursday night in response to an advertisement in the previous weeks Settles calling a meeting to discuss the above question, the notice setting out the disabilities under which Kawhia laboured. Mr T. D. Hamilton was voted to the chair.

The convener (Mr A. E. L&nglev) eaid that the task he undertook when calling tbe meeting was not a very congenial one, as he recognised that any step which could be termed retrogressive was to be deployed. 1 f it had been said to him seven years ago th it ho would move in the direction of ab.dish ing a Town Board he could nob have believed it. However, there were certain facts, and these facts must be faced—not by himself, but by everybody else. The residents of Kawhia had been living too long in a fool’s paradise—living on hope—and th<» new valuation and the 3d in tbe £ raU> had brought that fact home, and he was satisfied that the ratepayers were paying excessively. The rate was very high; but, why was it high ? For the simple reason that the residents were bearing the burden of the native laud, and he could confidently assert that there was not a place in the Dominion that felt the incubus as Kawhia did. It did not matter what a person did in Kawhia he was always running against the Native land, and the place was suffering far greater than auy other town. With Kawhia’s natural advantages why did it not progress in keeping with other places / Simply the native land, He could speak feelingly on the matter as he hod had to pay £l5O for a title, and he knew the settiers who recently took up the swamp expected that before they got a title to a few acres thev would have to pay over £ioo. If tijis wa*s European land the cost would be about £5. Ho had spoken that day to a settlor who was leiving by the boat, not because the laud did not suit him, or tbe place, but on account of th« fact thic ne rHcagnised th»t he could ntft judge what liability he was incurring iu dea ing with native land What was wanted was a united protest, to show the Government that the natives should ba granted the same rights and pr viHgcs as the Europeans. Th».e should bo no delay over this, more especially in the matter of land that had b en individualised. The natives were Dot children, and could look after themselves; they could not be got ahead of, as anyone who had dealings with them well knew. Kawhia residents had sat quietly for eight, years, and unless a united stand was made they would have to do so for a further eight—in fact, the present condition of things might ba handed down to the next generation. They should u.<t s t dumb under such conditions. Pho K.nne conditions apphel at Taumarunui, where ho noticed, the Town Board had decided to resign ia a body as a protest against the iniquitous »tete of affairs. He thought the same could bo done hme—not as a whine ab ut tbe rates or to belittle tbe district,but as a means of forcing something that would be of benefit to the town « id district If the restrictions and rest aiuts ve-o removed, Kawhia would ba■•mne what it should be—one vf the most tbii.ing place* in the Dominion (applause! Mg AteCMk sriA timt JkHiY® ImbnL

question was hampering the district, and the restrictions were a menace to the natives and a drawback to the pakahaa. He hoped that the Government would see fit to place natives and Europeans on the same footing. Cr Jonathan said that the Town Board felt the native land question greatly. The 3d in the £ rate amounted to £S7, which was not in excess of the requirements. The capital value of the district was £18,(00, and the rateable value only £B,OOO, whilst half the ar.-a was under native tenure. He certainly joined in the protest agtirst the state of affairs that exist in this diirtrict, Cr Jenkins recognised the importance of the question. In the town area there we’S two native towfiships, and he suggested that the meeting ask the Board to wire to the Government soliciting a defiuate answer a* to when these lands were to be put np un ■ der the freehold tenure. His desling with native land was not very satisfactory, the cost of getting lease-* wes considerably more than the value of the lant, which was a crying shame. Cr Pe tit agreedthat the protatt was a good move, a d anything that <oul«I be done to alter tbe prescuc scandalous poAuon would hive his hearty support. Several others spoke, many g that tha Board resign in a boly. rtv ia e uf 3d was considered too high, and much Of a tax.

A motion was cirriel to tbe effect that the Town Board refrain from ro'-iecting rate* until the G ivemment moved ia eenuecuuu with native lands.

Cr Jon ithan replied that he did not think this coni I be done, as the rate wuu'd have to be collected. I.; was a matter hit w juld have to be gone into. A couple of miuur motions were put au I eventudly it was resolved. He B ;ard be inked to find on tbs legs. l pds. tiou in the matter of carrying oat ii*> wishes of the meeting aud report t > a future u .eet» iog of ratepayer* to bj eeld not i-uj- wan t e first week of No. ember next. ’