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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1313, 7 June 1883, Page 2

In view of the approaching session of Parliament, the representatives of the people, have, in many parts of the Colony, deemed it a duty they owed to their constituents to address them at public meetings upon the important topics so soon to be discussed by the Legislature of the Colony. Although there may be nothing of an exceptionally startling character in the coming policy of the Government, there is much to be said in favor of those upon whom the choice of the people has fallen, reciprocating the confidence reposed in them by periodically conferring with their constituents. Questions affecting the Native Land Laws.of the country, the Gisborne Harbor Endowment scheme ; a River Board Bill, for the purpose of empowering river board districts to be constituted, to carry out protective works along the river banks liable to be inundated ; the offering of further facilities towards throwing open for settlement the lands of the Crown on the East Coast —upon these and other kindred subjects it is but natural to suppose many of the electors of the East Coast would be glad to hear our representative enunciate his views before proceeding to the seat of Government. From late Ministerial utterances, it would appear (if the Opposition be not of too troublesome a character) that much steady work shall be got through if possible, in continuation of the policy of last session. “ The policy of the Govern- “ rnent,” said the Hon. Major Atkinson, in the course of his speech to his constituents at Hawera, delivered the other day, “ was laid down “ very clearly in the Acts brought “ in last session, and the Government “ would continue to work on the “ liberal and progressive lines pursued “ hitherto. Public works would be “ carried on vigorously within the “ limits previously referred to. Local “ bodies would be strengthened and “ rendered independent. I he Native “ policy would be the same as that *• which has been successfully inau- “ gurated and carried out by Mr “ Bryce, and firmness, self-reliance “ and courage would no doubt bring “ about the st ate of things so earnestly “ desired, by both races living as one people.” The “ political rest ” once yearned after by the Colonial Treasurer is, even in the face of the pacific policy outlined above, still remote. The Native question —the subject vitally affecting I his district, and upon which we would have been

glad to hear the views of the member for the district—threatens! to demand much attention from th'e MinisW/y. The question of dealing vrith Native lands—the befe noir of itvery New Zealand Ministry, appeal's to the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer in its same sombre hue. “It was a very “ awkward question," rema.rk'ed the hon. gentleman, “ which vfo'uld re- “ quire careful consideratio n by the ‘ Assembly. The system of Govern- “ ment land purchase was n< Mv nearly “ wound up, but it was apparent that “ the withdrawal of the Ho vemment “ from land-purchasing had hot got “ over all the difficulty. T here were ” grave scandals in conne. etion with “ Satire lands, and the N Rtive Land “ Court, and there was no doubt that “ steps would have to be taken by " the Parliament shortly to sit to “ remedy some of the evils. It would “ be necessary to consider what the “ Natives really desired, and how “ the country could he settled with “fairness toboth races. There would “ be some difficulty, because it might “ not be possible to do what was “ thought right. The Natives might “ not look at matters in the same “ light as the Europeans, and their “ wishes must be consui'fed.” As the particular line the t io'rernment may adopt in carrying on it its Native policy, cannot but materially effect for good or for evil, according as that policy is good or bad, the prosperity of the country generally, but more especially semi Native districts like the East Coast, the foregoing observations from a leading member of the Ministry may be fairly taken as an earnest of the intention of the Government to endeavor to remedy, some at least, of the evils arising out of the acquisition of Native land. Upon the assurance of the Colonial Treasurer himself, we are told that “ grave scandals” exist under that head. It will, therefore, be an undoubted disgrace to the Government and to the Colony to permit those “ grave scandals ” to be perpetuated. The Colonial Treasurer seems clearly to discern, more clearly perhaps than he cared to say, that great abuses exist; nay more, that at the present time the Colony is threatened with the evil in a degree incalculably greater than it ever before appeared. Those abuses must be removed or guarded against by legislative enactments. The wishes of the Natives are not to be ignored in the matter. Their wishes, and not the wishes of powerful landsharking syndicates, must be considered. Before the great Medicine Man of the Parliament can prescribe his remedy, a complete diagnosis of the disease will have to be made, and where the probing should commence is not at present of any moment. Whether or not he will be inclined to adopt the quack antidote recommended by the New Zealand Native Land Settlement. Company, in 'he shape of a private bill, likewise remains in the realms of conjecture. Of this we feel assured, that not only is the subject of legislating for the proper dealing with Native land one of paramount importance to this part of the Colony, but other questions of great import, affecting the welfare of this community will soon come before Parliament, anti without entering into the higher flights of theoretical politics, we think, in the interests of the district an early interchange of ideas between the gentleman who has the honor of representing this district and the electors might tend to results beneficial to the electorate.