The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, JAN. 19, 1893.

Waikato Times, Volume XI, Issue 3209, 19 January 1893, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, JAN. 19, 1893.

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

On Friday last Mr Kces gave an address in Auckland on the native land question. Mr J, C. Firth occupied the chair, and in tho course of his opening address said: " It might lie said that there was lots of land for settlement; and so there was. The natives held 10,000,000 of acres upon which no rates were paid, although the Europeans were taxed to make roads through thcin." The above quotation very tritely summarises the position, and appeals as strongly—or, perhaps, more so—than would a volume, to the common sense of the people, which cannot fail to convince them that the present state of affairs is intolerable, and that a remedy must be insisted upon. The natives are now sufficiently enlightened to fully comprehend that the position is an unsatisfactory one as regards their European fellow subjects, and is, in addition, one that effectually prevents the material advancement of their race. They, equally with the Europeans, have had enough of the" mystery men "—both races have discovered that they have been the enemies of both, They have lieen the barriers between the two races, Had it not been for their anxiety to retain lucrative billets there can be little doubt but that to-day the natives would no longer suffer legal disabilities as to dealing with their lands, and that years ago their lands would have been utilised, either by Europeans or themselves. The individualization of titles was the cunning invention of the "Maori doctors." How could this be brought about without the intervention of the linguistic pakehas ? The billets of these individuals have, in consequence, been safe up to the present time j but the common sense of the people will very soon insist upon their being sent to the right about, and tho natives and their lands dealt with in accordance with the dictates of reason, with due regard to justice as between the two races. Sweep away these limpets of all ages and growths, and the rock of discord, which they have done so much to create, will be exposed to view and be found of a most friable nature, and (Speedily disappear when exposed to the light of day. The lands which are now idle will then be dealt with in a manner which shall confer

benefit on both races, and give the country nn impetus on the road to that great prosperity which is unquestionably in store for her, Tlio proposals Mr llecs makes to this mid are very similar to, or if not identical with those we commented upon some time back. As such large public interests are involved in the question it is well to again summarise them and offer such comments as appear desirable. He proposes a compulsory dealing with the lands under a tribal system, the natives being formed into corporations, whose representatives should have power to dispose of the land and settle all questions regarding it. The natives, ho proposes, should be called upon to elect committees of natives, who alone should have tho power to deal with the lands, and that only publicly, He oarticularly emphasises that there should lie no private dealings, So far we think the proposals feasible and useful. Manifestly it would avoid trouble if all transactions in land between the two races were conducted in public. This would be a safeguaad to the natives interested against doubtful dealings on either side. It will be necessary, however, to insert a clause in the proposed act enacting such heavy penalties as will render the bribing of the committee as a wholp, or of. individual members, so hazadous as not to be worth while. Mr Rees suggests that the blocks when acquired should be cut up as are the Grown Lands at tho present time. Mr Rees says that provision could easily be made for the just distribution of the purchase money. It appears to us that this difficulty will be equally great as the ascertainment of individual titles is at the present time. The same facts will have to be dealt with. This might, however, be

very well left to the native committees to settle, but to our mind there should be some appeal from their decisions, It is of courso impossible to guard against every case of injustice to individuals, but as the proposal is to forco these committee upon the natives we can hardly repudiate all responsibility for their actions, We believe that Mr Rees' proposals are both practicable and just, and we quite endorse the resolution of the meeting: "That this meeting earnestly urges upon the Government the vast importance of placing before Parliament as soon as it assembles a wellconsidered scheme for obtaining large portions of native lands in this Island for immediate occupation, and devoting the session largely to passing a measure of this character, treating the question as a great colonial ono and not as a mere party question."