THE NATIVE LANDS COURT BILL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5112, 11 August 1877, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NATIVE LANDS COURT BILL.

1 TO THE EDITOB OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sm—Writing onbehalf of theNgatikauwhata, with whom I have been bo loDg connected as their agent—and who by an almost chivalrous fidelity and generosity have earned a right to my very best service—will yon allow mo Bpace in your columns for a few remarks upon the Native Lands Court Bill now before the House ?

We desire to thank tho present Government for two things, viz.:—(1) For circulating their Bill before the meeting of Parliament, so that Maoris have had an opportunity of expressing their opinions upon it by petitions and by their representatives ; (2) For its early introduction to the House, so as to afford time for a full consideration of so important a measure. In these two respects there is a great contrast to the practice of former Governments, and affords strong hope that future legislation on tho subject will be more effective and satisfactory than hitherto. ' ■

We also desire to express our deep gratification at the clear and complete manner in which the speeches of Mr. Whitaker and the other members who have spoken place the whole question. Thus :—The object in view : " The interests of settlement, with due regard to personal rights and interests of the Maoris." The methods hitherto tried : (1.) Recognition of Maori ownership; pre-emptive right of purchase by the Crown, and re-sale to colonists. (2.) Crown ceases to purchase, and private sales and purchases made legal. (3.) Purchase and re-sale equally open to Crown and piivate persons. That seems to be the nutshell into which Mr. Whitaker and the private members* who have sDoken have brought the question. Mr. Whitaker then goes on to show that the last-mentioned plan has been found to be bad as bad can be; and we think that in this Mr. Whitaker is perfectly right. Then he says that the first plan, viz., pre-emptive right to purchase, having been abandoned for so many years, it is not now possible to resume it. In this, also, we think that Mr. Whitaker is very right. Then he says there remains therefore only the second method tried, viz., private purchase, and he says his new Bill facilitates that method. In thi3 we think Mr. Whitaker is partly right and partly wrong. We think he is right as to the object in view, viz., to facilitate free trade in the land, Government standing by, in the joint interest of settlement and Maoris, to see all fair on both sides. But we think he is wrong in supposing that his new Bill is well adapted to effect that object. It would however, in our opinion, be an ungracious thing to pick special holes in this Bill, Mr. Whitaker having done so much for which we have reason to thank him. But this is what we hope he will do, viz., frankly accept theamendment of Mr. Ballance on thefollowing joint understanding—lst. That the new measure shall not be introduced this session. 2nd. That ,the Native Lands Court shall during the recess complete all matters before it which are not the subject of political difficulty. 3. That whatever Government may be in office next session shall bring down a Bill on this subject, upon which they will stand or fall. If something of that kind is agreed to by Parliament, we verily believe that all the tribes in the island, Kingite and other, will give to the Government during the recess their very best assistance in framing a Bill which shall be satisfactory to both races. On the other hand, we are of opinion that no Bill which could be passed this session will be satisfactory to those large and important, though it may bo misguided tribes, who have hitherto taken no part in the electien of members or in any discussion on this matter. Is Pailiament .chivalrous enough to say to these tribes, " Come, we have fought ! We are the stronger. Will you now frankly join with us in making a law under which we can both live in peace and amity 1 Or, must we march on in force ; or, alas, in contempt? For on we must go. We may not be stayed by you." We, your present correspondents, pray that good counsel, justice, and generosity may prevail.—l am, &c, A. McDonald, For Ngatikauwhata. Wellington, August 9.