The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1892,

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3092, 10 May 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1892,

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

» The various meetings held between the Hon. Mr Cadman and the natives during the time Mr Cadman has been at the head of the Native Department, have been viewed with considerable interest throughout the colony. The firm attitude taken by Mr Cadman, and the plain and straightforward manner in which he has dealt with the various questions at issue, have raised Mr Cadman in the estimation of men of all shades of political opinion. Mr Cadman has on more than one occasion stated that circumstances had been exceptionally favourable to his administration, and under the altered condition of affairs lie has been enabled to address the native race with a candour which might have been injurious to the interests of the colony if uttered during previous administrations. It is in keeping with Mr Cadman's unassuming character to take this modest view of the position, and although it may, to some extent, be in accordance with facts, the country will not discount the good work he has accomplished in consequence of his having credited altered circumstances with having largely contributed to his success. When the lion, gentleman first addressed the Maoris at Otorohanga, he laid down a platform which he has since consistently adhered to, and whilst he manifested a firmness hitherto rarely exercised between Ministers and the aboriginal race, his utterances were courteous in the extreme, and the Maoris accepted them as coming from one who, though not lavish in

promises, would faithfully carry out in the letter and in the spirit any pledges he might feel justified in making. Since his first meeting in the King Country he has met the Maoris in all parts of the North Island, and it is clear that where he has not satisfied tb.6m with his policy, ho has, at any rate, earned their universal confidence and respect. It will be remembered that at the gruafc Waitungi meeting he had to deal with a grievance which the Maori people conceived they had re the " dog tax " which the local bodies had declared they would impose. Upon this question Mr Cadman uttered no uncertain sound. He told tho Maoris that they had escaped the tax too long, and that he would aid the local bodies to the uttermost to obtain what they were justly entitled to. The Maoris did not like it, but they saw that they had to accept the situation. Again, when the influential chiefs on the East Coast refused to pay the dog tax, powerful appeals were made to Mr Cadman to suspend the operation of the law, but without avail, as we have heard that he sent a telegram to the magistrate to put the law into operation, no matter what the result might be, as he was determined to uphold the magistrates and the "majesty of justice."

During last session Mr Oadman introduced a Native Land Bill, the main object of which was to consolidate the native laws, to wipe out those that were costly and hurtful, to lessen the cost of land acquisition, and, generally, to bring native laws more in conformity with those which obtain among the European population. Those who were behind the scenes allege that the opposition to the measure from within the Cabinet when it was being framed rendered it scarcely recognisable even by its own parent, and when its main principles met with opposition from cortaiu unexpected quarters in the Mouse and the Bill was strangled in the first stages of its life, Mr Oadman is reported to have said, if such a course were repeated next session he should consider the necessity of " packing up his swag." During the recess Mr Cadman has taken every opportunity of meeting the natives, advising them to sink such insignificant matters as the " dog tax," etc. ; to cease to adhere to old traditions which are not applicable to the advanced time; to support his proposals ; to have one law for

Europeans and Maoris alikß ; to assist him to advance the settlement of the country, and to participate themselves iu the benefits that accrue to settlement by becoming occupiers and improvers of the soil. He has also succeeded in making them understand that a large portion of the Public Works exponditui'o has been beneficial to their raco. It has advanced tho value of their lands, and that the laud must contribute to the taxation of the i country, or under the provisions of tho law, if they are not prepared to accept this, there was but one alternative—to sell their lands to the Government at a fair price—and thus place the Govornment in a position to make the land contributo to the taxation of the country when held by Europoans. At the Kihikihi meeting, Mr Oadman said that more land was now being offered to the Government than they could purchase, or more than Parliament had provided funds for, but '■.hat he was steadily acquiring territory, some of which was of fair quality, and that he was urging the judges of the Native Land Court to hurry on the work, so as to make these lands available for settlement. Many of the most influential chiefs, in what is known as the King Country, have not only withdrawn their opposition to the sale ot lands, but have voluntarily offered to aid him in every possible way to set aside portions ,of the country for European settlement upon a fixity of tenure. At the late meeting at Otorohanga, some of the owners desired to have the restrictions removed in their entirety, as regards leasing, but Mr Oadman pointed out that Parliament had placed restrictions upon large blocks within the railway area, and the Government must first obtain what was required to fulfil the conditions. Mr Cadman further pointed out that owing to defective and incompleted titles, the granting th.6ir request would simply plunge them into a " sea of litigation." He could not, therefore, entertain the proposal. The restrictions might, however, lee eventually removed from blocks not required, but it must bo under proper condition, so that no monopoly could result. The Maoris present at this meeting expressed great regret _at the recent changes in the Native Department, which practically _ depoeed Mr Oadman as Native Minister. They expressed the utmost confidence in him. and hoped the Government would re-consider the matter, and would decide to leave him with full control of the Native Department. We feel assured this feeling is shared in by all who have watched Mr Cadman's career since he has occupied the position of Minister of the Orown.