HUNTLY NATIVE MEETING.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 268, 31 March 1898, Page 2

HUNTLY NATIVE MEETING.

SPEECH BY MR CARROLL.

On Tuesday the most important business of the meeting was proceeded with. The Hon. Mr Carroll announced the policy the Government propose pursuing with regard to native lands. “ King ” Mahuta opened the proceedings with a speech, which he had evidently very carefully prepared and which lie delivered with much deliberation. He expressed a strong desire to learn the Government proposals os to native land legislation and to give them every attention, id c hoped they had decided upon a scheme which would be in the best interest of the natives. They all recognised the importance of the occasion.

Mr Carroll trusted that the meeting would end satisfactorily and that the Government proposal would bo upproved. In addition to the stoppage of further sale 3 of native land and giving power to the natives to iease, it was intended to provide for the landless, to set apart reserves and areas for native settlement, to assist the natives to become industrious settlers. It was also intended to either simplify the proceedings of native land courts or abolish them altogether. They proposed establishing Land Boards, which would do all that is i»» the direction of watching the terms of leases in the interest of the u itives. The hon. gentleman went somewhat into details on these matters. He advised them to look after their personal comforts and give strict attention to sanitary rules. They should see that their surrounding's are kept clean, so as to preserve their health. They should teach their children to improve their social conditions and improve upon the past and present in this respect. He told the Maoris that although they had many noble traits, such as kindness of heart and natural dignity, they were too careless of themselves At present they required a strong arm to restrain them until their character changed, and became as stable as that of the Pakeha. They must encourage temperate habits if they were to improve their position and take part in shupiug the destinies of the country. Henry Kaihau, M.H.R., generally agreed with Mr Carroll as to the Govern ment policy, and criticised in detail the proposal to establish Land Boards. The Government proposed that there should be composed of Go\ eminent and native representatives, but he was opposed to that, he thought the natives should have the administration of their lands left entirely in their hands. He agreed with the Government that all sales of laud should cease, and that they should be thrown open for cccupation under lease. A lady of the Ngatipoa tribe then spoke. She wanted the giving back of the laud which had been taken from the natives brought to the notice of the Government, the laod which had been wrested from those who were dead. They had suffered greatly through past dealings with their lands. They had esteem for their visitor, but tlmy would havd more were the wrongs which had been inflicted upon them righted. What had the Maoris done that they should be deprived of their lands ? They had lost their possessions through wars ; that was the cause of their trouble ; they had done nothing to deserve such harsh treatment. Why did the Government not rectify the wrong and give them back their land.

Mr Carroll then rose to reply. He admitted that in the pist errors had been made ; Governments had made mis takes, but where was the use of resurrecting things which had been lone; buiied. But the Maoris themselves were to blame in many case l !. I'akehas had quick wits and sharp heads, and when the natives were allowed to deal with their land they soon pot into debt, and the bind had to go. Whenever the Government wished to interfere to protect the Datives they raised objections and questioned the bona fides of those who wished to protect them and conserve their interests. If the land is given to you, what will follow ? On the day you g' t the power to deal with the laud as you wish, your death-warrant will be signed. You ha v e not the steadfastness or strength of purpose of the pakeha. You will have your hind, but who among; yon wilt retain possession. You will part with it as you have done before, and become a landless race. The Government intend opening up the lands for the benefit of the Maoris. They propose to stop all sales, not only to themselves, but also to private individuals and to allow the natives to lease their lands and receive the full benefit of their ownership. The native land policy should be such as will conserve to the best interests of the chiefs and people. If they declined the assistance nroffered by the Government and take the dealing with their lands into their own hands, they would find that their policy was a mistaken one. This desire of the Government was to co-operate with the natives in their important matters and determine upon something which would be discussed iu Parliament and finally settled there. He was with them in their desire to conserve their interests in the land, but when they talk of Government interference he would ask them—" Had it not been for the Government where would many of the natives be now ?" Where would the laranaki people be to-day and where would be their land? It would be in the possession of the white people, and they knew it. These native 3 were now rewiving in rent about £30,000 a year. He had no doubt as to the satisfactory result which would accrue from the proposed legislation. They had to deal with the future, not with the past. There was urgent necessity for coming to a definite arrangement. It was useless putting it off. They should let the Government participate in their rleliberations. Let them leave the past and look to the immediate future and come to some decision, for they know not when they will have to meet and discuss these nutters when another Pharaoh would be king who would not know Joseph. The meeting then ended. The Executive Council and Chiefs are discussing the Government proposals. Th ? general feeliug seems to be favourable to them.