CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 146, 2 June 1884, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the oj inions expressed by our correspondents). NEW NATIVE LAND LAWS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Professedly in the interests of the people of New Zealand—for the more equitable solution of the Native land difficulty, the Government in finally considering this important question, have decided on a rearrangement of the Native land laws, and by which decision they have determined, it is understood, to stand or fall during the approaching session of Parliament. They say, in effect, that the present arrangement is a scandal to our civilisation, and now that public works throughout these Native lands

arc about to be opened up, it would be still further scandal and disgrace to allow private individuals to derive the benefits which otherwise the State would obtain. The re-arrange-ment roughly consists of the following : That all Jealing by way of purchase or lease, by private individuals, shall cease; that the Maoris shall have the right of placing their land under the Crown Lands Board of the various districts for sale or lease, as they may think best, and that one or more Natives will bo placed on these Boards, and also that the Crown will retain the right to purchase, if thought desirable; to allow a bare majority of Natives interested to dispose of it; that provision will be made for reserves for roads, and other public purposes, and for the Natives themselves; that payment will not all be made in cash, and that provision for the small cash advances will bo made, if necessary. This revulsion in the Native land laws is said to be brought about, to some extent, by an idea that the present system of allowing Natives to sell land to Europeans has literally come to a standstill, owing to the great difficulties and delays in purchasing from the Natives, and that therefore none but the large speculations of syndicates and companies are being proceeded with, and in this way the large capitalists become opulent to the very great detriment of the working classes. Now as regards the re-arrangement, theoretically speaking, it seems very good, but, from our

knowledge of the actions of Governments, I say unhesitatingly that, in practice, it will be a failure. And it may fairly be asked, Why have the Government adopted the new policy at this late period of the day ? For many-many years tnis same system has been advocated, and, until quite recently, has been bitterly opposed by the members of the present Government. This latest freak of theirs is really incomprehensible. They seem all at once to have become imbued with one of those highfalutin notions of Sir George Grey’s—that about improving the masses, and the Natives particularly. But why, I ask, was not the same notion entertained by them before, on some of the occasions—say—when some of their political friends appealed to them to take off the prohibition of alienation of certain Native lands ? In removing those prohibitions, was not that uncommonly like a serious restraint cn trade? Did it not prevent the Natives getting full value for their land ? Had free-trade in land been stopped more than twenty years ago, probably good would have resulted, but, at the present stage of our existence, it will undoubtedly mean the reverse. Before adopting the revolutionary course proposed by the Government better reasons should most certainly be advanced. So far I see no necessity for such a radical change. To say that it would be a disgrace to allow private individuals to derive the benefits accruable to land purchased from the Natives by public works being opened up through it, is pure moonshine, —is simply a case of imposing on the gullibility of the public. All know that land required by the Government for public works is easily obtained in the orthodox manner of the royal road of acquirement, and, too, at pretty well their own price. This question of the new Native land policy of the Government should be brought forward most prominently during the existing election contest, as one vitally affecting ourselves; and a pledge should be obtained from each of the candidates that he will strongly oppose its becoming the law of the land.—l am, &c., Ratefayeb,