The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4532, 14 July 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1883.

Thi mask i« being thrown off, the dissemblance of the Government is gradually being dropped by them, and the passage of the Native Lands Co's Bill through the House is being secured. Before the Session opened we warned the .people that a gigantic attempt would be made to use Parliament for the purpose of helping various.land sharks to not only mend imperfect titles to native land held by them, but to grant those cormorant-like individuals further facilities for acquiring the lands of the i Colony. The idea, upon being exposed by us, was pooh-poohed by a certain section of the Press, but events which hare since transpired hare not only confirmed our conjectures, but there is shewn a deeper conspiracy than we^dreamed of. The subtlenesss of the promoters in placing their bantling in the hands of an Opposition member, and a strong sapporter of Sir, George Grey, was admirable,; bat the poor attempt of ' Major At- j kinson in making a sham show of opposition to the measure upon its ihtroductioa was not at all worthy of the wily i politician be is^ There can be little doubt that this most iniquitous measure will be passed through the House, in one form o/ another, during the present session; and,the spoilers, hftvihg onto inaerted the thin end of the wedge, can hide their time to get the necessary amendments made to still further legalise .the nefarious land transactions which have taken, and will take, place throughout the North Island, while there remains an acre to be, appropriated. As we before pointed oat, certain disturbing elements exist in Ministerial quarters, and the removal of these will, of course, have to be seen to. The petition presented by Mr Brjce against the passage of the Bill, tend to show that the Native Minister is not thoroughly in concert with those whose desire it is to carry out the measure. Another member of the Ministry has also expressed disapproval * of the. Bill, and. so soon as the obstructive ones can be removed, no doubt the Government will give a more open support to, its principles. We feel that raising oar voice against the perpetuation of this great wrong is almost useless, but still it is a'duty that should not be shirked.. The persons interested in the carrying of the measure are too intent on their work, and they are not prepared to make the least sacriflce of gain on account of honor or principle.