THE SALE OF MAORI LANDS.— THE LATE PROCLAMATION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 266, 15 August 1872, Page 3

THE SALE OF MAORI LANDS.— THE LATE PROCLAMATION.

To ths Editor of the THAMES Guardian. Sir, —A great deal of discussion is going on about the proclamation in reference to the sale of Maori land, both amongst the natives and Europeans. Many Europeans t\ ndemn it, and others, again, say that it is a wise provision of the Government to prevent certain unprincipled Europeans from taking undue advantage of circumstances, by buying up land which may shortly become a goldfield. Now, I have taken great pains to find out the opinions of the natives on this important subject, and I find that thcy r are not averse to the proclamation, if it did not infringe on their rights as regards these townships. By doing this they consider the Government have outstepped the proper bounds. I know that many influential men in Auckland have by means of their agents here advanced money to certain natives in part payment of specified tracts of land. The proclamation upsets all these agreements, and well it does so, for it would be far better for the natives to hold posliession of the laud than to have it in the sands of laud sharks. The proclamation will, I think, cause the natives to hold the land in their possession for two or three years, when they' will get tired of the long delay. But it is the opinion of the leading Maori-Pakelias that the Government will rescind the proclamation in about three months’ time, to enable certaiu lands to be surveyed. Directly that is finished, I believe the proclamation will be annulled. At present there are a good many Europeans trying to foment discord atnongst the natives to serve their own ends, therefore, J think, no notice should be taken of certain rumours tiiat are going about to serve a purpose as to a probability of native difficulties and disturbances being likely to arise. The natives are, and have been, for a long time peaceful, and I thime will continue, despite of interested efforts to create ill feeling amongst them and bring on a row.—l am, &c., A Constant Reader.