NATIVES AND THEIR LAND. (From the Wanganui Herald.)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 339, 16 July 1874, Page 3

NATIVES AND THEIR LAND. (From the Wanganui Herald.)

The Government nre beginning to lose the iiold which for many years they have hud on thenathes of Wanganui. Led by Kemp, whoso arroguneo and ambition are \isibly growing under the present regime, what were once known as the Kupapas, or friendly natives of Wanganui, are beginning to drift irom their old moorings. JTot that their loya^tj was ever a thing of great intrinsic worth. They possessed a keen sense as to who were their benefactors, and found it more profitable to live upon us than to fight us. Circumstances are changing. Tie land question is going through another of itt Protean forms. Tho natives of Wanganui. guided by Kemp, no longer appreciate the Government policy, but arc as impressionable to movements ni the most refractory of their compatriots. They have recognised the increased value imparted to land by tho high prices obtained for staple productions, and they have seen the anxiety of the Government to acquire land for settlement. They are told that if they will only lea3e they will become millionaires — that the industry of the white man will do that for them which they are unable to do for themselves. Then comes upon the eceno the great landshark. lie cannot possibly obtain 100,000 acres in one block unless the Government aro driven out of the market. His game at onco becomes transparent to himself and to others who are neutral. If he can foment a sense of injury against the powers that be in the mmdi of the natives, he will have achieved half his purpose. The remainder will be accomplished when a native land league is formed to oppose Government interference, when Mr Landshark will step in and lease his miles of country. When a powerful chief is won over, everything ■will go straight. Kemp, wearing his proud title of Major, is probably unconscious that he is acting disloyally. Yet there it bo 1 doubt of' the fact: and it may be said he is also acting dishonestly. If he were a white man, — and we are told he claims to bo judged by white standards, — he wonld soon recognise that to pocket a salary as a land purchase agent, and to be intriguing ugaintt the sale of land to the Government, is an act ot gross dishonesty, and should merit full and prompt punishment in dismissal. He need not expect the good opinion of the Colonists if he systematically betrays their interests. Ho may say be does not care ; that if the Government liked to withdraw his salary, * all right.' If he implies by a threat we know he has used, that, he will make it still more unpleasant for the Government ; he will only illustrate still more forcibly the unTvortbiness of the subject on which so many — too many — honors have been lavished. He has been so long accustomed to flattery from wind-bags like Sir George Bowen, that he may not suspect the source from whence his power and influence are derived, but may imagine these are due entirely to his own merits. It must, however, be evident that if the Government withdrew their subsidies and their countenance from Kemp, he would speedily descead to his proper level. Neither the number nor status of his tribe is sufficient to I confer lustre upon him : he shines by the reflection of Government patronage and the tangible blessings of a treasnry whose door is open to him. Withhold these, and the poor chief parts with more than half his mana. If lie means to become a petty conspirator, in tho hands of unprincipled white men, let him abandon hit salary, divest himself of his plumes, and proclaim his intentions openly like a man. At present but one construction can be placed on his conduct. Qe is conspiring against the Government who protide him with iood and clothing, and is effacing by his present acts the past services by which lie ought to be remembered. We may be devoting more space to such a person than he is entitled to, but it must be remembered that his position is unique, and the evil of which he may become the agent is formidable. What does the Colony atk the natives to do P To sell for purpeses of colonisation a portion of the boundless estate they hare still left. They are not forced to sell, and may withhold. There is no compulsion. But if they continue to monopolise the greater jwrtion of the land of the Island, they must be made to bear a fair share of taxation This question of taxation is one that cannot no longer be avoided in legislation! The time is coming when it will only pay to hold by making the land productive. We advocate no exceptional tax ; we do not propose to place native land in a wone position than that owned by Europeans. The Maoris are now reckoning with this important element of taxation entirely left out of the calculation. When the time comes that it will have to be considered, we shall find no leagues with cohesion enough to hold together, but every man will rely upon his own independent judgment) and sell when he is offered a sufficient price. Land leagues formed to maintain a monopoly of the soil aro thingt which should receive no encouragement. JSfor should any Government, with a particle of dignity, permit such a flagrant violation of one of the first principles of administration as we see in tho case of Kemp. A sharp and vigorous stroke is necessary to nip in the bud the nascent disloyalty of this chief, and assert the independer.ee of the Government. In legislation let both racss be placed on a perfect level, and if nothing else will counteract the land j^roteetionist movement, it might not be premature to bring native landt within the sphere of Road Board influence. While the natives are permitted perfect freedom to dispose of or withhold their lands, the time hat come when they should be made to understand they mmfc bear a share of the burdens and responsibilities which their enormous territorial possessions — secured to them and made valuable by the colonists — justly entail upon them.

A certain French Baron, whose scientific tastes led him to collect the skulls of celebrated persons, one day received a visit from a man with whom he was accustomed to deal. " What do you bring me here ?" asked the Baron, ai tha man slowly unwrapped a carefully enveloped package. "The skull of Shakspeare." " Impossiblo!" " I speak the truth, Monsieur le Baron. Here is proof of what I say," said the dealer producing somo papers. " But," replied the Baron, drawing aside the drapery which concealed his own singular collection, " I already possess that skull." "He must have been a rogue who sold you that," was the remark of the honest dealer. «' Who wai it, Momieur ?" " Your father," said tue Baron, in a mild tone ; "be sold it to me about twenty-nine years ago." The broker was for a moment disconcerted, then explained with vivacity, " I comprehend. Be good enough to observe the small dimensions of the skull on your shelf. Eomark the narrow occiput, the undeveloped forehead, where intelligence is still mute. It is of Shakspeare, certainly, but Shakspeare ai * child about twelve or fourteen years old, whereas this that of Shakspeare when he had attained a certain age, and had become the great genius of which England is so justly proud." The Baron bought the second head.