THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 1885.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2041, 6 August 1885, Page 2

THURSDAY, AUG. 6, 1885.

At yesterday's meeting in Hamilton something like solid progress was made in the latest scheme for thr amelioration of the condition of the fanners. Manifold as are tho diawbnoks under which we have suffered, Waikato is at any l.ite fortunate in possessing men endowed with what our American kinsmen designate " real grit." There is an element of patriotism in their character which must strike everybody. No one who has taken account of events in this district for the past few years can have failed to notice that nearly every scheme projected in the interests of the agricultural class has emanated from a few individuals who could in no case hope to reap a tithe of the advantages •which would accrue to the district were each enterprise bi'ought to a successful issue. This question of how we are to dispose of our beef and mutton at prices which shall pay the producer is one that affects all classes of the community ; for if methods can be devised for putting mpre money into the pockets of the farmer, labourers, tradesmen, merchants, and members of the skilled and learned professions must of necessity prolit thereby. Waikato depends wholly upon its agricultural and pastoral industries, and unless these are in a prosperous condition, no one, whatever his trade, or calling, can hope for a full measure of success. We lay stress upon this point, because we think it is the duty of every man in the district to help the proposed industry, not merely by expressing his heart-felt sympathy with it, but by extending to it something in the shape of practical, pecuniary support. It is true that landowners are tho most nearly concerned, but their interest differs rather in character than in degree. We ought to support tho movement, and, if need be, make temporary sacrifices to do so, not in pioportion to the number of cattle and sheep we shall be able to supply to the works, — for some of us have neither the one nor the other . — but in the measure of the stake we possess in the district. It clearly devolves upon the farmers to take tho initiative in this matt< r, and this they have done. But the meeting distinctly recognised the obligation under which all sections of the community labour in this regard, and the committeo yrnt very properly made a thoroughly representative one. On it are the leading spirits of the commercial as Wt 11 as the agricultural class. Past experience feads us to believe that the business pen will enter into the work con

'ainore ; and we are glad of this opportunity to pay a well earned | tribute to those «. gentlemwi tor the* active interest ' they 4fave'' alwfays evinced iff \the promotion^ of all rural industries. The records* of the proceedings yi& connection wilih the establishment of the various chcjese factories amply demonstrates thejir claim to the gratitude of the farmers. The committee has wisely ix'im made a large one, so as to incliule in its ranks representatives from all the districts included in the wide extent of country known as (> the Waikato," and it may safely be assumed that the merits or demerits (if it have any) of the schema, wiUJtt&iuUy,. and fairly canvassed by them. A great responsibility j^ste'Mpoii <tlieir shoulders, but we do not hesitate to declare our belief "tnat' they will prove themselves worthy of the trust reposed in them.

Each Native Minister who takes office fancies he has discovered the true solution of the much vexeJ " native land question." Mr Ballance says his Native Land Disposition Bill is to be the panacea for the difficulty, but in this we differ from him. The native committees have so far proved a failure, and we see no prospect of their being anything else, for the Maoris have not been sufficiently educated up to the principles of local self-government to trust the management of their lands in the hands of a committee. Mr Ballance expressed a desire to put a -.top to the evils of land speculation, but the formation of committees and the limiting the number of names on a Crown grant to seven is notthe way to do it ; for then, instead of ha\ ing to buy over perhaps a hundred persons, the intending speculator will only have to buy seven. But the mischief does not end hero. By the judicious expenditure of money the nomination of the committee can be easily managed, that is, alw.iys providing the natives are willing (which they are not, Mr Ballance's assurances to the contrary notwithstanding) to bring their lands under the provisions of the bill. While fully admitting the advantage of the small farm system, we are of opinion that the bill before the House is not a means towards that desirable end. The day is gone by when the Government could exercise theirpreemptive right, the only nuuns by which sin. ill blocks of land could bo secured by the small capitalist. We do not advocate the acquisition and holding of land in largo blocks. On the contraiy we think it would be a serious drawbacks to the prosperity and permanent welf.ne of the country, but the system has obtained so long that it would be a matter of difficulty to put it down. The natives themselves are strong supporters of the system, for they have been so long accustomed to " make a draw," when short of money that they have to look upon the land speculator as a sort of bank upon which to fall back at pleasure. They are so notoriously improvident that they would be unwilling to forego a temporary gain for more ->olid advantages in the, to them, distant future. Hitherto all lands passed throught the court have been divided into large blocks, this rendering the purchase of moderate sized farms a matter of impossibility to the small farmers, who were quite out of the running with the wealthy speculators. Even the latter have found some of their purchases turn out white elephants, and many of them wish they had never made any. The only way we see out >f the difficulty is to individualise the titles, and, after making sufficient reserves for the native owners, throw the country open to free trade. The man of femall means can afford to give more per acre for 200 or 300 acres than the speculator can for twenty or thirty such blocks. The proposal to sell the land by public auction is no doubt a cjood one, but we fear the natives cannot be brought to see it in that light. As long as this system of tinkering with the question obtains, the settlement of the country will be retarded. The natives look with' suspicion on any inteiference with their land by the Government, for oach Minister who takes office has some bill which is to prove superior to any yet introduced, so that it pu/.zles the natives to know what the law really is with regard to their lands.

Tun old chief Manuhiri died at 'Whafciwhatihoe yesterday afternoon, ft is not every clay that a person of consequence dies even among the European population, .and a few pn.rticu.lcu.s concerning the ol<l clllof, of whose class few now remain, will perhaps possess some interest. Manuhiri, before the Waikato war, resided at Ihumatau, near Mangare. His name was then Tamati Ngapora, by which he is still best

known to itf^t He left his settlement for*" Waik/ito, and .assumed^ the ± name 6f~ Matiuhiri, u S&joutfcer," v lather , than take the oath of allegiajice demanded by the by Sir George r 'Gfsy i4^B6^'and\|4 c breaking up of his ate^ttleftTent waikihe signal for the Mangare and Ihumatau natives to join the kingites in Waikato. For year^ 1 Mai^uMr? lactfed ( as Tawliiao's |md |*ritrlej Minister. He was undoubtedly a chief of note and influence, and although he did not actually take part in the fighting, his holding aloof formed an obstabl6 for many years to the settlement of the native difficulty. He claimed restitution of the lands confiscated by the Crown, and Tawhiao, feeling bound to support liis demand, was prevented from accepting any compromise which left Manuhiri unprovided for. Mauuhiri always insisted that he was wrongfully driven off his lands at Mangare. For many years past he has been in failing health, and i his death has been expected for some time. His age was probably somewhere about eighty.

fact that prisoner was a stranger in the El.tco, the R.M. said he would havo sent im to gaol without the option of a fine. la the Legislative Council on Tuesday, several bills were advanced a s< t ago. In tho House, the debate on the Native Lands Disposition Bill was reaumed by Mr Pratt (Southern M.iori), who thought tho bill should be ni ado permissive. Mr Te Ao, Mr Dargaville, and Mr Moss oppwed the bill, the latter characterising it as unnecessary. Cnpt. Russell thought the native titles HJiould bo individualised and the natives induced to sell their Lands. Messrs Hobbs and Pyke al?o opposed the mcasur#, and tho debate was then adjourned. Sir Julius Vogel moved a resolution appointing a select committee to consider the East and Coast Railway question, the committee to consist of Major Atkinson, Mi Cowan, Col. Fiwser, MrGanick, Mr Hursthouse, Mr Macandraw, Mr Menteath, Mr Mitchelaon, and the mover. Sir Geo. Grey ti listed tho work would not be let to a foreign company, but that it would be undertaken by the Government. Mr Sutter opposed. Mr Richardson quoted statistics to show that the line would pay. Mr Dargavillr favoured the construction of the line by the Government, and Mr Pyke said he would oppose the scheme in any shape. Mr Fisher and Mr Downie Stewart condemned the scheme, and Mr Smith supported the appointment of a committee. Mr Holmes strongly supported the proposal, and on tho motion of Major Atkinson the debate wan adjourned. ____________