OBDURATE MAORIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 300, 12 May 1913, Page 6

OBDURATE MAORIS.

"WE WON'T SELL." HOW GOOD LAND IS LOCKED UP. Auckland, May 8. There was a very large attendance of assembled owners at tlio sitting of the Waikato-Maniopoto Maori Land Board last Thursday, for, apart from the private transactions to be dealt with, a proposal fdr the acquisition by the Crown of that fine area known locally as the Tabaroa was to be considered. Mr. W. 11. Bowler (President of the Board) controlled the meeting. Everyone present, at any rate the Europeans, heartily endorsed the president's preliminary remarks, which were to the effect that all would recognise the benefit the European settlement of the block would represent to Kawhia. The roading of the district would be facilitated, general progress stimulated, and a further inducement offered to connect Kawhia by railway. The prelude completed, the president announced that to save time he would test the feeling of the meeting "on the voices," and if a general desire were shown on the part of the owners to sell, each resolution would be put separately and formally carried by show of hands. The "Rarengi Ingoa," or list of 'names of those sharing ownership in the several blocks, was read, and on the motion being put, "That the Crown purchase Ta- ; haroa 8., No. 3, 2038 acres," there was no doubt from the outset that the "Noes" had it. Block after block was called, only to meet the same fate, men and women joining in the general chorus, which increased in volume and intensity as the proceedings advanced. "Kahore te whaka ae kite hoko" (we won't consent to sell). As the resolution regarding each block was turned down, the President, with assumed confidence, "was sure they would s'eJU the next," but the obdurate Maoris were proof against all blandishments, and Mr. Bowler took each consecutive rebuff smiling, although naturally, like every pakelia present, acutely . disappointed, and so it ended, except for '< a little paternal advice from the Board. This land, Mr. Bowler pointed out, had , been owned by the natives for the past ■ five or six centuries—ever since the Taii nui canoe landed in Kawhia—and yet the total improvements were valued at only . £ GOOO, or approximately ,Gs per acre. . They must realise that the time had come for a change. They must take i their coats off and get to work with axe and plough, or the public outcry would compel the Oovernmcnt to bring in legisislation providing for the compulsory acquisition of all unproductive lands. He warned them against the advice of those who recommended them not to sell their land 3, for he understand that a considerable amount of outside interference had been exercised in this direction.