New Zealand Native Land Settlement Company.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1005, 29 November 1881, Page 2

New Zealand Native Land Settlement Company.

Mr. W. L. Bees addressed a crowded meeting in McFarlane’s Hall on Friday evening last. The occasion was made, as the convening advertisement stated, to dilate on the “ Subject of the Land Company.” The several candidates were invited to attend, but Mr. Locke only was present. Mr. J. Town’ey occupied his usual seat in the chair, and in a few preliminary remarks quoted, from Air. Gannon’s oral address in that Hall, to the effect that Mr. Bees had snubbed the community by not calling a public meeting when the company was formed. Mr. Bees was received with cheers and said, Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen :—I have asked the electors to meet me to-night that I may make an explanation of the objects of the Native Land Company; why it was formed, and the principles on which it is based. This step lias been found

necessary on account of assertions made by some of the Candida’es in the election campaign. Some of them have made misrepresentations with regard to the company. In fact Mr. Gannon based his claim to support on these statements. 1 cannot conceive wiiy he so bases his claim, but, as ho has made it a test question, and although 1 am hot a candidate, for your suffrages, I have no objection to it being a test question, and will abide by the issue at the day of the polling. I thought it a advisable to invite the candidates to meet me ; and I took care to send a special invitation to Mr. Gannon, because he has been most severe on the company, and because it is better to speak face to face. 1 shall refrain, however, from speaking of Mr Gannon —as he is absent on his election engagements—on any matter except in reply to what he has said about the company. Mr. Gannon is the only one of the four candidates who is not a shareholder. Mr. Allan McDonald was one of the original shareholders. Mr. Locke has an interest in the company ; and Air. Gannon himself, would have been a shareholder if he had been invited to take shares. I shall say nothing of Ca.pt. Porter because he cast no reflections on the Company. Air. Locke is the only candidate present, and I am glad of it, and it is of him I shall speak first. Air. Locke is not a man of war, but a man of peace. I never knew a man more inclined for peace, provided he can have that peace on his own terms. He must have his own way or none at all. If Air. Locke is reported correctly, his memory must be singularly defective. Air. Locke, I understand, said he was pressed to become a shareholder, but that he refused until the last moment, and then took 10 shares only, I suppose in order that he might watch over the interests of the community.

Air. Locke denied this supposition of Mr. Bees’ from his seat in the body of the hall, and asked permission to explain after Air. Bees had finished, which was granted..

Air. Bees then stated his recollection as to how Air. Locke became a shareholder in the Company, and continued : —Air. Locke had said he quite approved of the principles of the Company, and was prepared to join the Directory. In fact Air. Locke said it was an extension of an idea he had projected some years ago. I was pleased at this, because I thought it was a good, thing for men who were generally opposed, to join on a common platform for the public good. Air. Locke went to Wellington with Mr. Buchanan, in order to settle matters, so that he could join the Company ; and, knowing be had t aken shares in it, I was astounded when I. heard he had made the Company an election cry against Air. McDonald. Air. Gannon based his claim to your votes because he has nothing to do with this evil thing —the New Zealand Land Settlement Company. I wish I had been present when he said the things he is reported to have done about the Company (ironical cheers). Air. Gannon said the Company was composed of land sharks. He said the aim of the Company is to hold as much land as they can, for a greater or lesser time ; that the efforts of the Company are to get harbour and other works in the interest of large landholders. If these charges were true, no director ought to I ave your votes. I now’ undertake to show that these charges are not only not true, but that the converse of them is correct, and that their falsity recoils on the utterer of them. It is unfair to judge of one side of the question. To understand the drift of these charges one must look to the past circumstances of the district. We have been waiting and hoping to see our Native lands thrown open, and capital introduced, commerce encouraged, labor abundant, and instead of a wilderness of unoccupied waste, homes to grow up, the product of a contented people. (Applause.) Who among the revilers of the Company have done anything for the East Coast? The Government have done nothing, and even now there are only a few blocks secured in the district; and it is to get over this state of affairs that the Company is promoted. Hundreds of thousands of pounds have gone by us, and the place is still a desert compared with what it will be if the Company succeeds. (A Voice: Aye, if it does.) Now, what are wanted to make this district prosperous are: First—That the Native lands should be thrown open to l)onafi(le settlement, on a large scale, in suitable areas, and upon such liberal terms as to price and payment as will attract settlers. Secondly—That the public works necessary for colonisation should be promoted, such as harbor works, bridges, roads, drains, &c., &c. Thirdly —That foreign capital and population of a good stamp should be introduced in a steady and continuous stream. Fourthly—That legislation be induced which will enable all questions of subdivision, settlement of disputes, and transfer of Native lands, &c., to be swiftly and economically settled—and which will also enable us to avail ourselves of the great areas of Crown land in this district, and obtain that assistance in our public works and in other ways which we have a right to demand and. to receive.

Now I undertake to prove that the foregoing requirements are the very essential essence, and objects of the New Zealand Native Lands Settlement Company. Its object embraces all that can make this district forge ahead out of its difficulties, and make

it second to none in wealth, in tin Colony (applause). 'Surely 1 hen if the

Company do such things, and promote the welfare of the community and individuals alike, they are. entitled to your, support. (Cheers). Mr. Rees read from the Prospectus of the Company in support of his assertion, and continued : Why the shareholders would be mad to invest their money in order to promote the interests of the land owners. J ask if the Company is not entitled to praise, rather than blame, if it undertakes works of such magnitude, and in the public interest? Such wild declamation as that uttered by Mr. Gannon, is unwise, because the charges he made were not true. Why, thelDirectors would break the very first Memorandum and principle of their own Association, if they acted in the direction stated by Mr. Gannon. Mr. Hees read from Mr. Gannon’s printed address, and commented on portions of it hostilely to the writer ; but his remarks elicited cheers from Mr. Gannon’s supporters, who were pretty numerous. Mr. Rees continued:—Supposing a law could be passed to allow every Native his piece of land to be surveyed and marked off, where would the small holder be ? The speculator would get the benefit of such a scheme. (A voice, Locke, would get some). Mr. Rees : Yes ; the lands would be unlocked to be Lockc-d up again immediately. (Great laughter). Mr. Rees apologised for the pun, but he made it good-naturedly. Mr. Rees continued :—I ask if one out of a hundred comparatively poor mon would have a chance against Mr. Gannon and those like him ? The large landowner would put the machinery in motion which he knows so well how to use. And the interpreters, such as Mr. Gannon would reap a rich harvest. (A voice: .Bunkum). You may call it bunkum, but you don’t believe it is bunkum. How can the small holder or laborer, desirous of improving his condition, compete, as Mr. Gannon says? (It was suggested by an unobserved speaker that they would stand no better chance with the company ; but Mr. Rees did not reply). Yes. They would compete, but it would be as the Twelve Apostles and their friends had done in I lawke’s Bay.

Mr. Gannon, in his printed address had said : —“ If you do me the honor to elect mo, I would pledge myself to have a law passed that would remove the barrier that has so long stood in the way of persons of ordinary industry obtaining land in this district.” Now any man whojHcdyes himself to “ do ” such a thing is either a knave or a fool. He knows well enough of the difficulties there are in endeavouring to do it, but more so in accomplishing it ; and, if Mr. Gannon knows of these difficulties, and keeps them from you to get your support, ho is a knave, and if he is ignorant of them he is a fool. If he claims your votes on the assertion that he do—not that he will try to do—a ceriain thing,he is not an honest man. Let a man do his best; he can do no more.

This Company is anxious not only to buy lands but to execute public works. I read again that Mr. Gannon said the Harbor Bill, and bridge building were only done in the interest of large land owners. I say there is not a man in the place who is not interested in these contemplated works, and if you elect a man who will oppose the objects of the Company, you will act against your own interests. (Ironical cheers.) Who prepared the Harbour Bill ? Who built the bridge over the Taruheru River ? (Derisive cheers, and a voice, “ who paid for it ?”) I will tell you, the Company has paid for a portion of it. And 1 say that it lias been built with the prospect of these things I have mentioned coming to pass. I am astonished at the applause given to Mr. Gannon when he made those remarks. (A voice ; AVe were not.) 1 look upon it that a Company such as the one I am connected with, is the only means of bringing about a belter state of things. (A voice: AVhat Gannon says istrue.) Yes ; the fact is true, but it is the deduction that is the lie. Let us come together and argue the point. (A voice : You are all argument.) And a good thing too. Do you mean to tell me that it would not be better for this district if not only 4, but 20 members were in the House, who would stick together for the benefit of this district ? I am astonished that settlers, farmers and others applauded such reckless assertions as those made by Mr. Gannon. I have no doubt J shall be elected to an Auckland constituency, but do you think if I am in the House, I shall sit still, and not support the Member of this district ? A voice : Give Gannon a billet. I did give him a billet, and I had to get rid of him, because he wanted to cheat a Maori. (Interruption and applause.) The shares of the Company would have been applied for over and over again had it not been for the working men of Gisborne. Scurrilous articles had been circulated in the local press which deterred moneyed men from joining the Company. .This Company is a purely commercial speculation ; it is to do the best it can for the shareholders ; and I am sure that if the lines of the Company are faithfully carried out it will be of incalculable benefit to the whole of New Zealand. Applications are coming in daily from Natives anxious to sell thousands of acres of their lands. In fact we have as much on our hands now as we can deal with.

I look upon it that this Company, or one like it, is the only means calculated to do good. But if some organisation of this kind does not exist we shall find that men like .Mr. Rhodes and Mr. AVhitaker, who, through the Bank of New Zealand, rules Parliament, will get all the cream of the land, like the Patereterc block, to themselves. The success of the Company means cheap land, cheap labour, and abundant wealth for all.

I have taken no part in the elec tions, and have kept aloof from local influences. I have warmly’ supported Sir George Grey, in order to enlarge the franchise, and give every man a vote. I have said nothing about Mr. Gannon’s private character. (Oh! Did you not say he cheated a Maori r) Why, he confessed to it himself, in this Hall, before 600 people. In conclusion Air. Hees said that Air. Macdonald had been held up to public scorn and execration, but it was a shame that he should be condemned for his support of the Company of which he is a shareholder. On Air. Rees resuming his seat mr. locke's explaxatiox. Air. Locke ascended the platform amid great cheering, and said : Air. Chairman anil Gentlemen: The few remarks I shall make will be principally in connection with what has fallen from Mr. Rees with regard to my position in the Land Company. I first would, however, state that in reference to what Air. Rees has said about opening up the lands, it is not true. Secondly, Air. Rees said that I asked to become a director of the Company ; that, also, is not true. With regard to my being a man of peace, on condition of having my own way, I think 1 shall be able to show that the shoe is on the other foot. Some years ago 1 bought from the trustees of the late Captain Read some shares in the Makauri block. It was afterwards ascertained that the land had not passed the Trust Commissioner, upon which I applied to the Commissioner to have the purchase ratified, urging my right, to the shares, and satisfying the Commissioner, so that he would give me the title. But Air. Rees disputed my title, step by step, until, at length, 1 had to take the matter to the Supreme Court, in consequence of which years elapsed before I could get a title to land for which 1 had given £6,(Mt). 1 endeavored to make any reasonable concession towards a peaceful and just settlement,but could not do so through the opposition of Air. Rees. I offered Air. DeLautour to arbitrate for me, but Air. Rees would not agree, so that I was put to the worry and expense of going to the Supreme Court, where I ultimately got satisfaction. And now Air. Rees accuses me of refusing peace unless on my own terms. (Applause). In reference to my’ connection with the Company, I may state that when I first heard of it, I stated I did not think it would float; and I expressed myself to that effect to an old friend, Air. Buchanan, who spoke to me about it. I did not go against the Company as a Company, but I disagreed then, and I disagree now, with the lines on which it is made to run. I was asked by Air. Buchanan, and by Air. Begg, also a Napier friend, and I made a map, and went thoroughly into the matter with them, telling them there was nothing new in the scheme, as I had conceived a similar one some years ago. Air. Buchanan said if I would join the Company he would take shares, and throw all his help into the scale with me. I again refused, as I thought some of the promoters and proposed directors were not practical men. I also told Air. Rees that no one was betterqualificd than he to draw up the plan of a theory ; but as for any practical work he was not fitted for it. After persuasion, I definitely refused to take up shares. Another objection I had was the Native element. 1 cannot sec how, by what mysterious process the Company are going to transform shares in land info scrip. I cannot see how any scheme of giving paper instead of money can meet the subdivisional necessities of our land titles. Aly idea is that the money should be divided, and not the land, by some authorised body and not by a Company ; for the Natives might turn round at any moment and repudiate their transactions. I object to the appointment of Directors without the shareholders’ approval, and I object to everything the Company has done without an expression of the views of the shareholders upon it. Air. Aliller of Napier suggested that I should have 200 promoters’ shares presented to me, and that 1 be a paid Director, but I refused and said I would not touch a share until the Company is remodelled on lines that I can approve of. Alatters then went on for some time, and my objections were confirmed by what I saw taking place, so that, after consultation with my friends, I tardily acquiesced in their desire for me to become connected with the Company, and, at the last moment, I may almost say about five minutes before the share list closed, I took 10 shares—it requires 50 to qualify a Director—so that I could watch the proceedings, and keep an eye on the public interest. It was solely with the object of being a check on the action of a Company in which I had no confidence, but in which large interests were at stake, that I became a shareholder. I feel I shall be of service to the community in the position I am ; but I could not be so as a Director, while constituted as the Company is, and for the reasons I have stated. (Great applause).

Mr. Locke concluded n- very interesting explanation—during which tie was often interrupted by applause —by saying that he was quite ready to join with Air. Rees in support of a petition to the Supreme Court, having for its object the improvement of our Native land titles ; and he was prepared to aid any company composed of practical men who understood what 1 they were doing ; but he could not say he had the slightest confidence in any successful result from such a Company as that of which Mr. Rees was the chief advocate, counsellor, and friend. On resuming his seat, Air. Locke was greeted with several rounds of applause, which lasted some time. In reply to Air. Owen Gallagher, Air. Rees said be had arranged for a meeting of shareholders, but through some misunderstanding it did not come off. The Company would sell their lands to the best advantage, but would make provision so that small holders would have the benefit. The questioner said he doubted if the Company’s desire to get the highest price they could, would leave any margin of profitfor the workingman. (Laughter). You may laugh, but this is a question that interests you all as much as it does me. (Applause). To a further question by Air. Gallagher : “ Do you advise us to vote for a candidate who requires a tool to speak for him on the public platform.” ’ Air. Rees laconically replied, “ No.” Air. Ferris: Is the Company purchasing lands held under lease by Europeans, without the consent, and to the injury of such lessees? Air. Rees : The Company has completed, I may say absolutely completed, and the deeds signed for the purchase of the Alahia block, and with consent of the lessee, Air. Walker. I he Company is, also, negotiating for other blocks of land of a similar kind. And I mav state that when the Natives interested in the Mahia block heard it reported that the sale to the Company was not bonajide, ten of them rode into Gisborne expressly to contradict the rumor.

Air. Ferris: is the Company favourable to an immediate settlement of the titles in the district ? Air. Rees : The Company will undertake to lend every assistance to further that object. Air. Ferris ; In the event of the five candidates connected with the Company being returned, would it not be reasonable for them to oppose any legislation having for its object the settlement of Native titles, as any such settlement would be opposed to the interests of the Company; as it must be clear that it would be to their advantage, having purchased a few shares in any block, to keep them in such a state as would prevent anyone else from acquiring shares? Tn reply. Air. Rees said the Company would be quite willing to get the shares purchased by them cut out of any block. Air. Ferris.- Have all the directors paid for their shares ? Air. Roes: All but one. Afr.W. K. AfcLean proposed a vote of thanks 1o Air. Rees for the able address he had given to the meeting. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.