THE NATIVE LANDS DISPOSITION BILL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2061, 6 August 1885, Page 2

THE NATIVE LANDS DISPOSITION BILL.

The debate on this Bill is remarkable for tke diversity of the opinions that have been expressed with regard to the effects which it would have if it were to become law in its present shape, 'llie Native Minister, who fnoved the second reading, did not say a great deal, though it might naturally have been expected that he would make Ihe speech" on the occasion his hest effort of the session, What he did say seems to us to clash on almost every point with the views he expressed on the Land Bill; nor did lie express the slightest desire to see Native Lands taken up by European settlers in small holdings. This, we think, could only be' effected by the individualization.of titles. Mr Ormond thought that the measure would shut up the land altogether, while Mr Bryce was decidedly of opinion that it would put the landsharks in clover. With the latter view.we entirely coincide. The Government has hitherto considered i tself justified in protecting Native owners from the landshark, and at the same time to reservelo itself certain rights under which it could prevent individuals from purchasing, These, it appears, are now to be abandoned. As we have, before stated, there is nothing wrong in the principle of allowing a man, or a number of men, to deal with his or their own property, but we think that the Maories would be grateful in the end if they were protected from land-sharks. If the Natives are to have free trade in their land, it is absolutely necessary for their ihterests and those of the colony that titles should bo individualised. These lands at present belong to communities, who should not bo allowed to sell Ihem any more than English communities should be allowed to part with their commons. The Bill appears to stand as fair a chance of being cut up as all the other Government measures.