AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1852.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 621, 27 March 1852, Page 2

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1852.

The anomalous and confessedly unsatisfactory state of the New Zealand Land Question has been presented in a somewhat new; and certainly a serious aspect, by the considerations elicited during the prevalence of the late rumours of a gold discovery in this neighbourhood. When one or another locality was named as its field, the inquiry on all sides was, — Is the land native property or not ? It was seen at a glance that on the answer might probably be suspended the issue — whether or not there would be a complication in the case rendering it wholly different from the otherwise analogous cases of New South Wales and Port Phillip; and suggesting grave doubts as to the possibility of working the auriferous tract effectually without becom • ing involved in contentions, if not actual collisions, with the Natives. The evils to be apprehended from such an interruption of the friendly relations now happily subsisting between the Maori and the Pakeha might speedily far more than counterbalance the benefit to be anticipated from the discovery of Gold, and present a peculiar and striking illustration of the truth that fold itself may be bought too dearly. Juicious management on the part of the Government, and a spirit of forbearance and prudence on the part of the settlers might avert these evils, and we trust would have that effect, seeing that the natives have already made so much progress in the formation of just views respecting their relations to the settlers, and their own interests as affected by those relations. But the case would manifestly be one in which rashness, cupidity, even a single false step, might be productive of most embarrassing and distressing consequences. This, however, was a special case, although one which* it is very important to provide for. But independently of its pc-

culiar claims to notice, the whole subject is one on which the attention of both the Government and the colonists cannot be too deeply fixed. Vast tracts of land, capable of being turned to the most profitable account, spread through the country in a condition of barrenness ; and resources for agricultural and pastoral purposes which, if fully developed, would become a mine of wealth, are suffered year after year to remain almost utterly unproductive and useless. The Natives are willing to sell these lands — not indeed so willing in many instances as they w re a few years since— but still willing to sell at prices which, except perhaps in a very few cases, should not form any obstacle to the purchase, and certainly would not be deemed an obstacle by Europeans, if they were permitted to deal directly with the native proprietors. This, however, they are not permitted to do. It forms no part of our present purpose to discuss anew the merits of the law which imposes the existing restriction, or rather prohibition ; it is a question which is often looked at very superficially, — often dis- > cussed very selfishly, with an eye only to what may subserve the supposed interests of the European buyer, and with a virtual, though it may be an unintentional, disregard of the rights of the native proprietors of the soil, — rights which, we conceive, are founded in the immutable principles of morality, and to the maintenance of which in substance, at all events, the Treaty of Waitangi has irrevocably pledged the honour and good faith of the British Crown. Equity and the ultimate welfare of all classes of Her Majesty's subjects in the colony demand that, in every legislative movement on the subject, the claims of the Natives — even those of the importance of which they may not themselves be fully conscious — should be respected; and we should lament to see their lands pass, a though it might be with their own concurrence, into other hands, to any extent that would not leave an amply sufficient reserve, not merely for their present necessities, but for the augmented demands which may reasonably be anticipated from their advancing civilization, and growing skill in systematic and scientific agricultural operations. But this consideration, valid and binding as it is within certain limits, may be carried so far as to lead to Utopian views, and to the practically injurious policy of looking upfrom profitable occupation an immensely greater extent of land than there is any probability that the Natives will ever require for their own use. — especially taking into account the fact (as testified by those most competent to form an accurate opinion) that the numbers of our aboriginal population are steadily and even rapidly decreasing. We say then, let the Natives be adequately and anxiously cared for : let a liberal estimate be formed, from a diligent examination of all accessible data, of the quantity of land they are likely to need, for sustentation, education, and other purposes, or that they are likely to be able to cultivate, not only during the present but during the next generation : and, let the Government not merely make no attempt to alienate from their uses this portion of their lands, but let it, standing in loco parentis, declare that these , (as yet) children in judgment and foresight, shall not be permitted, under any temptation that may arise, to sacrifice their future interests by alienating it from themselves. But if, after the largest reservations that can reasonably be deemed necessary for securing these objects, a wide breadth of rich country shall still remain, which it is certain the Natives can never want for their own use — (and we think it can admit of no doubt that such would be the case) — let prompt and energetic measures be adopted to induce them to sell this land to the Government ; let it then be opened [up on such terms as will encourage colonists to invest their capital of money and industry in it, and will draw to the colony, under a judicious plan of emigration, the labour which is indispensable to the development of its resources, and the introduction of which could now be greatly facilitated (amongst other means) by loans guaranteed by friends already settled here. The question arises, however, Whence are the funds for these extensive purchases of land to be derived 1 We apprehend that under existing circumstances, much is not to be expected from the Colonial Revenue, particularly if (as is currently reported and believed) the proceeds of the Land Sales are actually in course of being remitted home to repay to the Imperial Treasury the cost of the unsolicited Pensioner Immigration. A suggestion thrown out by the Wellington " Settlers' Constitutional Association in their series of Resolutions which appeared in our last number, aims at meeting this difficulty, and seems to us deserving serious consideration. In the 12th Resolution of the series it is proposed that, in addition to the sum of £150,000 to be paid in satisfaction of the New Zealand Company's claim— (a bart of the plan the feasibility or expediency of which is altogether a distinct question from that now before us)— a further sum of £50,000 should be raised by the Home Government on its guarantee, this sum of £50,000 to be placed at the disposal of the Government of New Zealand " for the purpose of purchasing land from the Natives, conducting the requisite surveys, and more especially of re-commencing colonization, which could now be carried on to the greatest possible advantage on the loan system, in the place of the wasteful and unproductive principle of granting free passages ; there being in the colony ' (as is added with, we believe, undeniable truth) " a large class of responsible persons, who would readily avail themselves of the loan system, in order to bring "out their friends and relations." We strongly incline to the opinion that some such scheme as is here indicated would work well, and that the money advanced from Home, and the other attendant outlays, would be far more than repaid by the sales of the land, even at a considerably lower rate than the upset price demanded under the present regulations. We know it may be objected that if the Native lands once came so fully^ into the hands of the Government, the price would not be reduced, and the, Government would have an increased power of dealing arbitrarily with the entire matter. We must

say we entertain no very serious apprehensions on this score, especially when we remember the unequivocal approbation of a lowered price expressed in Lord Grey's despatch of the Bth of August last. Although his Lordship's observations had primary reference to the Company's Settlement, yet by an obvious parity of reasoning they are substantially applicable to the Northern Settlements also. At all events, that question can be discussed on its own merits ; and if the Native title be extinguished by Government purchase, one great obstacle to the occupation of the land by European enterprise will be out of the way. If the object is to be attained satisfactorily, no time is to be lost in setting about its accomplishment. As we have intimated, the Natives are becoming more reluctant to sell. This reluctance will doubtless be increased by the rumours of Gold-fields which have reached their ears, and kindled their hopes, so as already to induce some of them to place an exaggerated value on their lands, under the supposition that the treasure may be hidden in their particular properties. For this and other reasons, the purchasing of their lands while they are at all within reach is a maiter which should be taken up — and, we say it emphatically — without delay,- and conducted in no narrow or peddling spirit, but with a zeal and liberality in some measure commensurate with its great importance.

Lyttelton Ntivs. — We have received by the Antelope the numbers of the Lyltdion Times for the 21st and 28th of February. There is scarcely any intelligence of interest. In lieu of facts we hive a disquisition on the despotism of the New Zealand Government, the journalist indignantly declaring for himself and his fellow Pilgrims, "we were schooled into a state of wholesome discontent before we left our own country — we came here fully resolved that we would not live under this form of Government,'" — and, anon, challeging any reader to tell "in what his political condition differs from the Russian Serf, or a subject of the dingy Emperor of St Domingo !".... There aie se\eral long communications respecting the coal found in the valley of the river Selwyn, which it is hoped may prove an available discovery.* • • -The crops were spoken of favourably in the low-lying lands, where the produce was said to be " equal if not superior to the average of the old country, '• but there were failures in some of the cultivations at the foot of the hills, which were attributed to inordinate drainage for tillage." .. . .The brigantine Munford, 169 tons, was to be placed as a regular trader between Canterbury and Van Diemen's Land. She was in the port of Lyttelton, having made the passage in ten days. . . . According to the last published market note, flour was 1 8s. to 20s. per 1 00 lbs. j bread sd. the 2lb. loaf.

Destructive Fire. — It is with a regret in which our local public generally sympathises that we announce the destruction, by fire, of the whole season's crop of hay raised on the farm at Epsom belonging to our esteemed townsman, Mr. Macky. The fire took place on Wednesday about noon, and is supposed to have originated in the carelessness of a man employed on the ground, who was seen smoking a little before near the stacks. The conflagration, having once commenced, could not be checked, and the result was the destruction of at least 120 tons of hay. Caution to Householders. -On Wednesday night Mr. and Mr 3. Rowe of Wakefieldslreet, having left their house for a short time, on their retnrn found the door bolted. After knocking in vain, Mr. Rowe and their neighbour Mr. Walters, forced open the door, and discovered a soldier inside. The intruder — who evidently was there for no honest purpose — was given into custody, and on being brought next morning before the Resident Magistrate was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment. This is not the only case of actual or attempted theft we have lately heard of, and we mention the circumstance as a caution.