Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE : TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1883.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1336, 31 July 1883, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE : TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1883.

Thebe can be little doubt but what, amidst a host of matters which call for speedy reform in these colonies, the Native lands question is the one most prominently needing our immediate attention, inasmuch as the present state of the law permits a host of unprincipled schemers, to obtain possession of large plots and areas of land by means which are a disgrace to our civilization and an outrage upon all law and equity. The necessity for immediate legislation in this matter is demonstrated by the frantic endeavors which are being made by land rings, land companies, and land schemers of all classes and grades, who are savagely contending against one another to obtain possession of some share of the general plunder of Maori lauds. Setting aside all justice, law, morality and equity, these men openly advocate the monstrous theory that to obtain possession of, aud despoil the Maoris of their lands, no matter what means are resorted to to eSect the result, is a meritorious act, and that the end fully justifies the means. The demoralising influence of these schemers is extending itself through all the colony, but nowhere is its efiect so painfully apparent as in this small community of Poverty Bay. Here, more or less, the whole public has been dragged in on one side or the other. The whole tone of society and the Press is influenced, and falsehood, lying, and corruption have entirely userped the place of truth and honor, and “judgment “ is turned away backward, and justice

“ standeth afar off; for truth is fallen “in the street, and equity cannot "enter.” Oil wells have sunk into insignificance on account of its necessitating the employment of that uncongenial element —honesty and labor. The New Zealand Native Land Settlement Company and its rascally Bill has been howled down, and justly too ; but it must be acknowledged that amongst its most rabid opponents were a howling pack of hounds who bayed long and loudly on account of being distanced in the race for plunder. The disgraceful details so frequently brought to light in our courts of the manner in which signatures are obtained to deeds by the aid of the spirit bottle, and 1110 manner iu which so many so-called gentlemen unblushing].}- acknowledge to actions and dodges that would disgrace a brothel-keeper, are a blot upon our civilisation. We cannot hope that much good will result in this matter from Mr Bbtce’s Native Committee Bill, as the Committees are sure to be made the recipients of great attention on the part of intriguing and unprincipled speculators. Sir George Ghuy’s Native Laud Act Amendment Bill is, no doubt, a step in the right direction, as it provides that “ From and after the pass- “ ing of this Act no restriction, limi- “ tation or condition heretofore or “ hereafter placed on the alienability “ of any land in respect of which a “ certificate of title is to issue,. “or has been issued, to any “ Native or Natives, nor any con- “ dition, restriction or limitation at- “ tasked to the estate of the owner “ or owners of such land, shall be “ removed or in any way extinguished “ until (1) the Governor shall have “ satisfied himself of the real neces- “ sity for such removal or extinguish- “ ment; (2), the Governor shall “ months before such removal or “ extinguishment notify in the Go- “ vernment Gazette the intentisn to “ remove or extinguish the restric- “ tions, limitations or conditions “ aforesaid.” Section 3, 4 and 5 provides that any person who shall in any manner attempt to deal in any way whalever “ whether in writing or not ” with Native lands before the extinguishment of all restrictions, shall bo guilty of a misdemeanour, and be liable to imprisonment or fine, the same to apply to all agents as well as principals. This is very good so far as it goes ; but what is really wanted is that Government takes upon itself the whole responsibility of the disposal of Native lands, and constitute themselves the only recognised medium through which the Maori can sell and the European buy. When this is done then will a great wrong be rishted.