Feilding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties' Gazette. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1915. SETTLING NATIVE QUESTIONS.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2701, 21 April 1915, Page 2

Feilding Star. Oroua and Kiwitea Counties' Gazette. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1915. SETTLING NATIVE QUESTIONS.

When the Massey Ministry came into and Mr Herries was given charge of Native Affairs, the Dominion as one man heaved a great sigh and exclaimed when it again controlled its breath: "Now we shall see something doing. No more taihoal" But what of it? Not much. Not even taihoa: Mr Herries was harried with other matters. But it now appears that he has really been doing some independent thinking, with the result that we are now led to believe that he sees his way to the solution of what is'known as the problem of the Ureweia Country, better known in years gone hy as the King Country, that terra incognita which has been pierced by the iron track of the Main Trunk railway. The Urewera contained a desirable plot of 650,000 acres of land which Premier Seddon thought should be attached to the Crown. He said so by Act of Parliament. But for nigh on 20 years, even under the IJrewera Native Reserve Act, that plot has caused more trouble than enough, despite Royal Commissions and litigation, and Laud Courts. It is this pretty problem which Mr Herries has been thinking out. This is how the .Minister now states the case: "-It appeal's that the delay in opening up tlie land has been caused by the enormous amount of litigation that has taken place. It is hoped that finality has at last been reached, and for my part I have strenuously resisted efforts that have been made to pass legislation reopening the subject." The next question is that of survey. A sum of £4243 ha.s been spent in survey, yet the Survey Department says the survey is not complete ■■iiDiigh .for the purposes of the District Land Registrar, so that surveys i>l the blocks must be undertaken. The Crown started purchasing interests in certain blocks "in the northeastern portion of the reserve in 1909, before the titles were definitely ascertained. This unwise step has been the cause of considerable trouble—and may be of more trouble yet. And, still unwisely, the Native Office had no control of the purchases. Instructions have now been issued to the Native Land Purchase Officer to at once complete the former purchases and to endeavour to purchase the remaining interests in the different blocks affected. "When this is done and the survey completed, these blocks can be thrown open to the public in the ordinary way by Die Lands Department. Mr Herries also announces his policy: "With regard to the genera] future of the IJrewera reserve, a vigorous policy will bo pursued of Crown purchase where the Native owners are willing to sell. This could not be done till the question of the titles had been settled. It would not, in my opinion, be opportune at present to introduce legislation allowing dealings between the Natives and privato individuals—not, at all events, till the purchases by the Crown are settled. Every encouragement will be given to the Native owners to partition their land no that those who ; wish to farm their lands may get • their portions allocated to them, and , it is hoped that in a. short time the ■ problem of the Urewera Country will be finally solved and the best of the j land settled by the Native owners and j settlers holding under the land laws | of tile Dominion." It is pleasing to get an intimation from tbe Minister that the NatiVes tli em selves. are anxious to have their isolation terlrinated—a consummation that might have been effected years ago had finality been insisted on in respect to litigation. The Maori and his exchisiveness have rather palled upon lli*"* mass of the people, who have long ago come to the conclusion—and not without ample renson-—tliat the Native is a pampered child of the State. When Maori and Pakeha are on terms of equality, problems will solve themselves.