THE NATIVE LANDS PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4416, 9 July 1884, Page 2

THE NATIVE LANDS PROBLEM.

A Suggested Settlement,

(To the Editor of the Auckland Kvknikci

Sl'AlO

Onk groat cause of difficulty in tho government of New Zoaland has always appeared to me to ariso from the absence of continuity of political knowledge of the affairs of the colony, or, in other words, from ignorance of its previous history. There arc doubtless numbers of persons who presorvo this knowledge, and are free from this ignorance, but the now of population into the country from England and elsewhere has been of late years so rapid that tho new coiners ontirely overwhelm the old residents, and tho few ancient colonists aro found to form an inconsiderable minority, and aro styled "Old Identities" almost as a term of reproach. The result is that events that happened twenty years ago are only known in a hazy manner, and schemes that are brought forward as new discoveries are not recognised as having been tried boforo and condemned as disastrous failures, _or rejected as fanciful theories of no practical utility. Mr. Bryce's proposed Native hand Bill seems to me to combine two principles, one of which must bo classed in tho category of the rocognised failures of old days, and the other as a fanciful theory which will not work.

To furnish my reasons for this opinion, I must recall to the memory of the old residents, and will inform tho moro recent arrivals of events that happened many yeurs ago, tho lessons derived from which havo been almost, if not entirely, forgotten.

For tho lirst twenty years of tho colony's lifo tho Queen's right of pro-emption of native lands was supreme. The guarantees of tho Treaty of Waitangi had been strengthened by a local ordinance of very great rigour which made any purchase by a privnto person illegal, and declared even temporary remdenco on native land to be a crimo. Fortified with this well-protected monopoly, the Land Purchase Commissioners, under the direction of Mr. Maclean, a leader of unquestioned capacity for that special function, performed their duties with gradually-decreasing success, until the Northern parts of the colony began to feel tho stress of scarcity of land for cultivation Mon then began to cast about in their minds for Homo remedy for a state of things which was cramping the cnorgics of the settled colonists, and which entirely excluded capitalists from seeking New Zealand as a hold of enterprise. A private member of Parliament at length propounded a scheme (in 185fi, 1 think) which attracted much attention, and which uppcarcd to oiler a happy solution of the problem, relieving tho Government of thoir difficulty of iinditig money for the purchase of native lands, and at the ramo time overcoming an obstacle which had been gradually increasing in force, and which arose from the determination of tho Maoris as a people to discontinue ull land transactions with the Government. This scheme wus in all res[iccts identical with Mrßrycc's plan of Government agency. BirT. G. Brown was then Govornor,and was supreme in native affairs, 110 directed me (then Native Secretary) to obtain evidence on the subject from any person in tho colony whose opinion was likely to bo of value. Many persons were examined —missionaries, country settlers, merchants, Maoris, Land Commissioners, uud othors who volunteered thoir evidence 1 am not certain that my figures are correct, but, speaking from memory, I believe that 10 out of i_ condemned the scheme us impructicuble, principally on the ground tliut tho Maoris would not have it. Some of the opinions added the objection of the exaggerated establishments that would be necessary to enable the Government to keep such a largo number of complicated agency account.'. Thcj-e paper- are filed amongst tho Government records, and may be examined by anyone who cares to take the trouble. Amongst them will bo found a schedule, prepared by myself, shewing in a condensed form tho opinions collected.

Tho result was that the scheme waa abandoned, and from that timo until Mr Bryce revived it, thrco years ago, it . .unibercd in the archives of tho Native OHice, called by seme " Limbo."

The failure of (his chanco of relief caused the rise of an ngitation for the entire abolition of tho Crown's right of pre-emption, and for what was then styled the " Enfranchisement of Native Lands." The leaders of this movement were tho principal citizens of Auckland of thoso days. The newspapers, public meetings, interviews with tlio (iovornor, and deputations, aliko contributed to excite public interest, but tho strongest moving power of all was the distress that was coining upon the people for want of land. I havo the printed papers about this earnest struggle before me, but must not refer to them at length. Thoso who wero in Auckland at the timo will find the events recalled to thoir memories by even these few words, and those who were not in the country then, would lind it tedious to wade through an episodo which could not be made interesting to them now. Tho sentiments of the people weio summed up in a letter (still worth reading) in these words:- "To maintain our position, settlers must bo supplied with good land on easy terms, or they must chooso ono of these alternatives, viz : "To loase land from the natives, To leave tho province, Or to remain and bo ruined." The lottor was addressed to the Colonial Secretary, and waa signed by M. G. Nix*on, VY. Mason, Thomas Shepherd, John Grigg, Fred. E. Braithwaito, Albin Martin, Thomas Cuwkwell, J. llargrcaves, and Every Maclean.

The first formulated plan f o r determining and'conferring native titles to land was prepared hy myself, and _a. published by the Government ns an appendix to my tractrato, " Observations on tho Movement of the Aboriginal Population 0 f MW 2_aland." But greater powoi. intorvoned. Tho very serious dial _ctor of tho situation mado a deep impression on the Legislature* and although tho Govornor, who did not admit Ministerial responsibility in native affairs, was obdurate, yet Parliament in 185S passed the Territorial Rights Act, which wa. the first stop in tho direction so ardently desired by the people, and which was proparod by tho ablest member of the ablest Government wo over had. Under tho advice of the Governor, tho Act was disallowed by the Secretary of State. Tho right of pre-emption thon continued to drag on ils Insalubrious existence, tho Southern member., supporting it, as thoy always do support the Native Minister of tho day, knowing nothing nf the. o things. But events woro happening that rendered the abandonment of it a matter no longer of dobalo but of necessity. A blltO'boolf was published in 18(11, which people should road boforo thoy accept tho principles of Mr. Bryco . bill. Ono groat uso of tho past is as a guide to tho futuro, and human nature has not altorod in the intervening twenty years. This book is entitled, "Reports of tho Land Purchase Department relative to, tho Extinguishment of Native Title." A few extracts from it will show the State of things that cloned the long reign of tho Crown's oxclusivo right of pro-emption, and whioh rondorcd its abandonment almost compulsory. "Mr Commissioner Kemp. Bay of Islands, 10th June, 18(il.—I desire ut tho samo timo to express an opinion that snino modification of tho presont modo of extinguishing native title would bo acceptable to tho unlives, undor which individuals, as well as tribes, might pon\ _y portions of land to persons of the _t.ul_p.an race, the I lovornmont always exercising a cheek whero tho pm'tl'is purchasing are found to be more Spoculatois, rather than bona lido sotUers."

"Mr Commissioner Johnson. Waikato, October 7, 185-1. -Tlio variolic complications of the land question In th _ Waikato country, and tlio excited state of v portion of tho aborigines there, which circumstances havo prevented my achieving Hie object of my visit thoro, arc explained in a report to Mr Commissioner Maclean."

" Mr. Commissioner Johnson. Waikato, 6th Octobor, I (554.— Tho whole of tho south bank of Iho Waikato from Taupo, and the north bank from its conlluonco with the Wnngamarino, and up that river to its source, is placod under a tttpit. Our party was followed by tho Waikato tribes to the number of 158 mon, and wero absolutely prevented from crossing tho aforesaid boundaries. Their arms woro loft at Meremero.

A bitter feeling is gradually rising between thoso two parties, and unless cnrofully guarded against, may ond in an appeal to arms."

•'Mr. Commissioner Plecco. Coromandol, May (i, 1858.—Tho difficulties with which I have hitherto had to contend woro of no ordinary character. Had it not been for tho inllueneo that I had with the natives, and tho confidence that thoy place in mo, nothing, I believe, would huvo induced them to havo Hold any land."

"Mr. Commissioner Preoco, Coromandol, Juno 7, 1857.—Thoro is at present a general indisposition on tho part of the natives to nlionato their land, at Coromandol harbour, and, with the exception of the uinold portion at Mercury Island and n few sinull blocks on tho main, thero is nothing else open for immediate purchase in that district,"

"Mr Commissioner Hay. Thames, 27th May, IH.*iß.—Some land has been offered for sale near the mouth of the river, but of no extent, Ngatimaru being generally averse to selling."

"Mr Commissioner Iluy. Thames, 31st August, lS.'iS.—The Ngatimaru have always been opposed to soiling their lands, but their opposition, without being violent, is more determined than over.''

" Chief (,'ommi. sioner Maclean. Taraimki, "JOth February, ISs4.—The land question in this province ban been greatly complicated by a league which ban been entered into by tho N^atiawa, Taranaki, and Ngotiruunul tribe-, by which thoy have solemnly bound themselves and each other te put a Htop to all sales of land to the north of the 801 l block, or south of Tataraimakn ; and so much political importance do they attach to this that, in order to tfivr, irrenter solemnity to tho covenant, a copy of the Scriptural wa.i buried in the earth with many ceremonies, thereby, an It were, call iiifr tlio Deity to witnoss the inviolability of their compact." "Mr. Commissioner Cooper. Tniani.ki, August 7, LS..I.—-Upon this Rawiri determined to ..-II the land contained within the block paid for by Mr .Maclean in Wellington in January. ISM I accepted l'awiri'. oiler conditionally on his undertaking to cut the eastern bonndory line its far inland as tho Wainngana River, Thin he assured mo he had no hesitation in undertaking, in spito of Katatoo's opposition It was accordingly arranged, after two days' discussion, that tho lino should bo commenced on tlio 3rd inst. " A dotail of tho occurrences of tho 3rd inst., as also nominal lists ot both parties ongaged in the affray, showing tho casualties on each side, aro furnished by tho enclosed documents : "List of mon comprising the party to cut tho boundary lino— TnltUha killed Iliaku do. Paara Hnnpuiiga ... 't>. Hamahura Tauwhiro... do. PuoraTo ll<i]ii mortally i.ouiul.l Kiiwiri Wuiium ... do. do. I'iriki Wckiumi ilani?or_usly wouudetl Poldmiina ... severely'1 do. Soven others wounded and 10 unhurt."

" List of mon comprising party under To Whaitoro to oppose tho cutting of the boundary lino—Twenty-eight names of person",. of whom three were woundod."

" Mr. Commissioner Maclean. Wellington District, 6th February, I_s_. —I should state that for a long period considerable difficulties existed in reference to tho purchaso of land from the Southern tribes, a great majority of whom wero combined to limit the Europeans to tho immediate neighbourhood of Wellington. This confederacy was strengthened by some of tho moro remote interior tribes of Taupo and Rotorua, who, although they took no active part in the hostilities against tho English during tho wars occasioned by tho unsettled state of tho land question at tho South, wero nevertheless strongly prejudiced against their occupation of any part of tho island, except what immediately bordered on tho sea coast."

"Mr Commissioner Searancke. Wellington District, ISth June, 1860.—1 had tho honour in my letters of 22nd March and 2nd April to suggest tho necessity of suspending for the present nit negotiations for tho purchase of native lands in this province."

"Mr Commissioner Parris to Chiof Commissioner. Now Plymouth, Juno 0, 1861.— In consequence of tho native insurrection, land purchase operations in this province have beon suspended since March, 1860. Tho roturn of laud purchased since July, 1860, will bo nil." " Mr Commissioner Searancko reporting on tho Wellington District, February, IB6o.—Their constant communications with the Europeans, whilo leading them to put an exorbitant value on their lands, have also rendered it moro ditiicult to arrange about the prico so as to bring it within tho limits of my instructions. Their domands, howover high, are invariably backed up by tho most determined obstinacy and perseverance and supported by unblushing et.ron .cry of falsehood." " Mr Commissioner Searancko reporting on the Wairarapa District, 28th November, 1861.— I believe that ill-feelings and many difficulties between Europeans and natives, and among natives thomsolves (Wairarapa), havo been caused and aggravated by unsettled land questions in thia district par ticulorly : 1 also believe that the issue of Crown grants', whore practicable among them, will tend to remove ono of the great lines of demarcation between the native and European, and every dill'ercnco removed will be ono cause less for jealousy and dispute." " Mr Commissioner Searancke reporting on the Manawatu District, 6th June, 1861. —In tho upper Manawatu District negotia tions were for some time carried on for the purchase of an extensive tract of forest land, but discontinued from the numbor of distinct contending interests, the hh;h prico demanded, and other adverse difficulties. Negotiations were also commenced for the purchase of two smaller blocks of land on the West Coast, but stopped on account of the excitement thatmight have been caused by the completion of the purcha.es." "Chief Commissioner Maclean. Napier, 9th July, 1851.—1t is quite certain that where such squatting exists tlie natives, even as far north as, Auckland, will oppose the sale of land in the expectation, although valueless to them at present, that they may realise high rents for it." "Mr Commissioner Cooper. Napier, November C 9, 1856. —It is proposed to put an immediate stop to till sales of laud to the Government, and to use every possible means to induce squatters to settle with flocks and herds upon the extensive plains

in the interior. • . , . A cood deal has beon said about returning tlie money for Okawn, and about resuming possession of a part, of the Ahuriri Block, in consequence of tho low prico which was paid for it."

"Mr Cdmrnipsionor Cooper. Napier, March 27, 1557. —An application was accordingly mado to iro to proceed to tho survey of tho land claimed by To Moananui and his party, and an invitation was sent to tho latter chiof requesting him to accompany the expedition. It happened, however, that the salo of tho Manga Block e_eetod by To Hupuku and Wateno at Auckland, and which land is claimed by a hapu called Ngaitakaha, of tho other party, who nover saw a fraction of tho purchasemoney, had, together with unfair divisions of tho price of some of tho lately-purchased blocks, given rise to so milch Indignant discussion and blustering on both sides that Te Hapuku declined tho invitation, and it was decided to proceed without him. Tho party consisted of To .lolmahui, Tarcha, Karaitiana, and their followers, to tho number of alinnt 70, who, in consequence of the violent spceche.. of tho opposite party, but especially on account of To Hapuku'* refusal to join the expedition, fill wont armed to guard' against an attack from their opponents. I endoavourcd to dis.undo them," &c.

"Mr Commissioner Cooper. Napier, Augu.t 111, 185".— The fjuu'T .1 »o long existing betwe.fi To ilapiikii and. lo Moananlti ban ii. Jehfjth Hrokoh out into open hostilities. An engagorilf.';. took place yesterday which re suited in the loxs of sovon killed and twenty wounded."

"Mr Commissioner Cooper. Napier, October 19, 18157. —Another engagement took placo on tho 14th in.(. I ciiclo.se a list of casualties (2 killed and .'! wounded)."

"Mr Commissioner Cooper. Napier, December lil, 1857. —Another collision between tlio hostile parties of natives took placo oh the flth Inst, resulting in a total loss ol .'i killed and 10 wounded, as per enclosed list iiiti Excellency

will bo Horry to bear of tlio loss of I'uhura, it chief deservedly liked and respected by all clortses, a staunch supporter- of the liovcrninont, a linn friend lo tho settlers, and tho principal supporter of To Hapuku in his land-soiling policy.1'

"Mr Commissioner Cooper. Napierj July 29, 1858. -Moananui was very peremptory — talked about tho Maori King, and threatened that if the payment for lib land was withheld on account of To Hapuku . opposition to their sale he would import an army from Waikato, and put an end to the opposition by exterminating tho opponents."

rtMrnomn'issi"nCfC-Cpßt. jS_piei", .May !), Ifoi).—The main points (bus settled, the meeting proceeded to appoint Runangos, and to discuss and arrange various minor difference., among tho natives themselves, their decisions mostly appearing to meet with general approbation. It was generally (though not unanimously) agreed that no more land should be sold to the Government; but that all siilos already made should be respected, and that all bargains on Which money hat! Ij.oii paid in advance should be completed." "Mr Commissioner Cooper. Napier, May 10, 1859.—1 have since seen the nntives who composed this deputation, and they state in a very decided manner their determination not lo allow tho land to pass to the.Queen. Thoy say that if tho sellers of tho iand refuse to "ivc up the £100 they will subscribe it themselves and take pns«i_sion of tho land, by force ot arm? if necessary." "Mr*l "Commissioner Cooper. Napier, March 8. 18110. —It is my duty to report, for His Excellency's information, that the language held by many of the natives with reference to I he inland parts of the Ahuriri Block i. very unsatisfactory. They etate that at the time tho block was purchased advantage was taken of their ignorance to obtain the bind for a fraction of its value ; that a bargain mad In i>urb » way ought not, to be hold binding, and they express their determination to resume posse*, ion of the inland parte of the block U> the extent of probably 100,1-00 acres, to exact rents from the settlers in possession, or to drive their ellcop across the line which they thought fit to mark olTnßtho Queen., boundary, and destiny the homestead.." "Mr Commissioner Cooper. Napier, March ]2, ISIiO. -Tho action of the Kuni'iuras will, I am sorry to say, effectually put a stop lo sales of land to the Government in those parts of the district where thejr iulluenco'oxtends. On this point they will hear no argument, listen to no reason." " Mr < 'ommissioncr Cooper. Napier, Juno •JO, 18111. — Your letter called for information on the following heads—General state of the land que."lion, &c. In reply, it may bo said in a lew words that at present there is ' No Native Land Question ' in this province ; that is to say, that within the last two years the natives havo put a stop ro ..oiling land !o tho Government." The Bine-bonk from which I have been quoting contains nearly 400 pages, and from beginning to end is a lament over the difficulty of getting land, and a record of Uio disasters attending the system of Government land purchase. Shortly afterwards the war broke out, caused by the celebrated Waitara purchase. It. spread tw Waikato, and thence over all the island south of Aucklnnd. Tho Land Purchase Department ceased to operate, the Chief Commissioner retired to Hawkos Bay, and the twenty years' reign of preemption ended in disastrous confusion. Parliament faced tho question in 1 S<>_, and passed tho first Ifativo Land Act under tho guidance of Mr Dillon Bell (now Agent-General), Mr Stafford, Mr Sewoll, Mr Domett, and other influential politicians, who r .scom. to- havo left nu successors. Tho Preamble of the Act is reinariablo, and should be quoted : —" Wlierea.- by tho Treaty of Waitangi it was declared that Hor Majesty confirmed and guaranteed to the chiefs and, tribes of New Zealand and the respective families •and individuals thereof the full exclusive and undisturbed possession- Of their lands and estates which they collectively or individually held so long as it should be their desire to retain the samo. And it was further declared that tho chiefs yielded to Her Majesty the exclusive right of preemption of such lands as the proprietors thereof might be disposed to alienate. And whereas it would greatly promote the peaceful settlement of the colony, and the advancement and civilization of the natives if their rights to land were ascertained, defined, and declared; and ii the ownership of such lands were assimilated as nearly as possible to tho ownership of land according to British law. And whereas, with a view to tho foregoing objects, Her Majesty may be pleased to waive in favour of the natives so much of the said Treaty of Waitangi as reserves to Her Majesty tho right of preemption of thoir lands."

I do not raiso tho question of whether tho right of pre-emption secured by the Convention called tho Treaty of Waitangi, having been once abandoned hy the highest municipal authority, can be again properly asserted without the consent of tho party concerned, because I fear that the' day of weighing abstract right ia passed away; but I very much doubt whether Scotchmen would submit to any re-imposition of a restriction imposed upon them by tho Act of Union if once waived.

The Act of 1862 effected little, indeed so littlo I venture to say that few people remember there over was such an Act. In 1864 Mr. Weld camo into office, and ho says in his book called "Notes on New Zealand Affairs," published in England in ISO!):—"Tho first day I was in ollieo I waited upon a gentleman in every way qualified for tho task, and said, ' Native Land Courts are tho last straw to savo the drowning race, will you accept the ollico of Chief Judgo of that Court?'. My next act was to abolish tho old system of land purchases by tho Government, formerly upheld by the Homo Government from good, but as I think mistaken,: motives ; and thus the Government ceased to appear in the cyesof tho natives as a land jobber, and stood in its proper colours as an impartial arbiter of justice." These latter are grand words, unfortunately forgotten now. "

Tho Native Land Act, 1565, which followed worked with iinmenso rapidity, so much so that line lands in; the Pinko and Thames Valleys were selling at 2s Gd an acre, and a lino block in the -North was advertised (see Blue-book).at is per acre. Th*quantity of land thrown into the market was so grail' that in'ISO" Parliament interfered : again in lSb'l', and again 187:*!, tho cO'eet of all the.6 Aids boing to moderate the spbed.nt)•Which the land of the country was passing from one race to tho other.

When Ihe Vogol-Maclean Government came into ollice the public works policy was initiated. Great railways being contemplated, Mr Maclean asked mo to prepare a clause giving the Governrnetit.certain preemptive rights over native lands through which railways^passcd.' -Thiswas evidently fair and advantageous. I prepared the clause, limiting the powers conferred upon the Crown to tho object sought to be accomplished: - The'cfanse appeared ih'one of the early Public Works Acts, but when I saw it as passed I found that, the limiting provisions had disappeared, and tho clause applied -its' all lands indiscriminately. Under tlie authority of thi_ : po\. Ec, or under the maxim that the Crown is bound by no Statute unless expressly nair.od, Government re-established a Land Purchase Department, and recommenced operations as of old. Disregarding tho Act of 1573, which prohibited purchases from less than

all theowTiers of a block, and of less than the whole block, they bought individual shares in estates, and introduced again the bad feeling,-'' amongst the owners which caused such catastrophes in previous yoars. Acting under the power., of a Statute prepared for the purpose, excluding the competition of the people generally, they proclaimed largo blocks of land, and unable to conclude their acquisition of them, the Government effectually excluded large districts from colonisation. I cannot suppose that when Parliament passed the Acts authorising tho Government to proclaim lands it had any Idea of the manner in which the largo powers conferred would be exorcised. I will give two instances. A block of land in tho Bay of Plenty, comprising, it is said, somo '10,000 acres, called variously Waitoti, Rarua, _c., was proclaimed as lapu on tho strength of £5 paid to a woman who lived 50 miles away, and who was not an owner. Another block of SO,OOO acres called I'erekarangi was proclaimed by virtue of £100 paid in 1872 for n twenty-one years' lease. Tho owners have vainly endeavoured to get the Government to receive the money fc_ek from them, and they havo not yet been informed of the names of the recipients of the money. In the latter case, the owners of a subdivision of the block presented a Petition of Right so that tho question miffhtbe .et.tlod in the Supreme Court; but the Government, instead of referring the Petition of Right to the Court, as required by the common law, stated that it wan irregular, and riled it away. The principal chief of tho tribe to which this land belongs is an excellent, man, and very highly rcspectod. He owes monoy to traders in Auckland which ho is anxious to pay, but his only resource is his land, and that if locked up. Thus the evil of the systom permeates, and is felt by all classes of the pcoplo.

The absolute return to tho pre-emptive riyht,-ircshado wed in no indistinct language by Major Atkinson at Hawera, was received by the natives with great dissatisfaction. What tho feelings of tlio colonists aro I am not prepared to sily, but I know well (he sentiments on this question of the natives. Since then it has appeared that the Government idea embraces un alternative scheme of soiling land by Government agency. If I undcrotand it aright, it is the scheme ol Mr. J.ryce's Bill of 1881, which passed the i*t!i:nnd l*Bndin<; with tlie aid of the Opposition, but discountenanced by the great body of the Ministerial supporter*, and was then dropped. Now, 1 vonturo to state that all the evils whioh Sir John Hall, in announcing the native policy of the Government, acknowledged to havo attended the existing system of Government interference with nativo lands .ill accompany the agency system in a very aggravated form. In the first placo, the plan will not be acceptable to the natives, and it will have no extensive operation. All the influences which now operate to induce them to put their lands into the market would operate in tho contrary direction, and to ignoro these influences, whether they be good or evil, is puerile. In the next place, it will increase the distrust of the natives in the Native Lauds (Vim., which is now very consider able. They will dread that judgments may go in favour of that party in the contest who most loudly proclaim their willingnes. to deal with the Government. I could, if necessary, specify a case where I have already seen this feeling in operation. For it is a painful fact that the Maoris *. _ry generally now believe in the exercise of a Very powerful Government influence, over not only the genera! administration of the Court, but even (partially) over it., judicial proceedings, Whether this is what Mr i'ryee meant when, in advocating the removal of the Administrative Department to Wellington, he said that he wanted a

"moro effectiv_ control," I cannot say; but the feeling is so, and how detrimental it must be every Englishman can judge for himself.

The evils of tho agency system, from the European point of view, are considerable. In the lirst place, there will be little land to operate ujxin, if the natives do not accept it. Again, the system will be tedious and oppressive. Blocks coming into tho market, separated from each other, and at different timet, will not bo connected by i.nds any more than they are at present. The choice pieces only will be sold, and the poor land, will remain for yoars on the books of the offices. The accounts to> be kept for each estate will be cumbersome, and require an enormous stilt Fancy the trouble of Piotorua township pervading every block of land in the, island ! And the bother Trom the natives attendant on this account-keeping will be endless. Moreover, ns Mr Rollcston's "Ryotwarry"

system of leasing will doubtless form a feature, we shall have a largo tenancy of white colonists, with' an aristocracy of Mauri landlords. A feature of the scheme appears to be the investment of the proceeds of sides by the Public Trustee at Wellington. I cannot imagine a proceeding more injurious to tho natives as a people than providing them with the means of living without tho necessity of labour. lam of opinion that the sooner they see that they b.uvo to work for their living liko tho rest of us, tho happier and more prosperous they will be. I know a tribe that has sold all its land, having reserved sufficient only for their own cultivation, and this tribe is now industrious, cleanly, well-fed, and prospering ; the children go to school, and tlie men work and are isober. Contrast the state of this tribe with that of Maoris who aro in receipt of periodical payments, and the picture, will be instructive. I believe that civilization would even leave us, tho Europeans, if we had not tho necessity of labour, in ono form or another, as the leading feature of our situation. At the same time I should like to see provisio;_ made for the old chiefs. The mischief alluded to might be removed if the proceeds were devoted to agricultural schools if the natives could be brought to assent.

When Sir John Hall anriounced, as the policy of his Government, tho entire with, drawal of the Crown from meddling with tho native land of the colony, I think he did a wise thing. Following Mr. Weld, he recognised the impropriety of the Government appearing as a land jobber. The perpetual resurreotien of these interferences in one form c r another is a marvellous evidence of the rapidity with which men forget the lessons of experience. Whon shall we have a Native Minister who will deal with natives and their rights as the other Ministers deal with us?

It will occur to the minds of persons who have followed me thus for that, admitting that I have (to say the least) created doubts as to the wisdom of resuming the preemptive right of the Crown, or of the Crown going into business as a land agent, I ought to present for acceptance somo system which will remedy the existing evils, and will provide for the evident wants of the people, and the exigencies of justice and fair play in cases where railways or other public works enhance the value of lands. And here I would say that a plan to be successful must meet the views of both races, so that it may work without attrition, and, above all, may moot the views of tho Government as representing tlio people without tho necessity of Government descending into the arena as a combatant, for I do not believe in the efficacy of a controlling authority whose only foundation is force. If policy is unacceptable to a people you must rely upon force for carrying it out, and how disadvantageous such a system is, and how sure ia the compensation sooner or later Irishmen can well explain. Nor will tho sentiment of hostility disappear even with the removal of the practical grievance. Mrßrycehas not won the confidence of tho natives, and consequently all his plans aro founded enforce, and attended with movements of tho Armed Constabulary. Any permanent system to bo successful must be independent of such an- influence as that, for the colony will not long enduro the expense of a standing army, and1 1 am sure none is necessary now. All that tho natives want from tlie Government is to be let alone,, and to. be allowed to transact .their business with their European fellow-citizens in their own way. Recognising, then, tho propriety of the Government having somo means of acquiring from the native land some part of the extrinsic value which Government confers upon it by public works ; and, going further, and admitting that public policy, i.e., the good of the multitude, may sometimes render it right for the Government to interfere when.a private individual is acquiring an estate of larger proportion than is consistent, with tho general good, I propose the following plan : — 1. Establish again the Native Land Court strong in the confidence of th. natives. This will-not be done by pissing such a, measure as the Act of 18_„, in which the real .evils and the true cause of the Cambridge' scandals wore left untouched. Eliminate, all possible chance of Government interference with it, and mako it respected'as other tribunals are respected. 2. Abandon entirely a'l idea of Government, land jobbing or interference with native land in any form whatever, so long as'it'ts native land.

3. Allow private purchasers to operate under tho existing sanctions, providing only that all purchases shall be inaugurated by a majority of the owners in the presence of an authority, and compelling subdivision or voluntary arrangement where tho number of native owners is inordinate,

4. Let the price—survey expenses and other consideration moneys—be inserted as consideration in the deed, and duty be paid on the full amount. 5. Within a limited time let the purchaser lodge in somo public ollico a verified statement of the cost of tho land, including therein all tho expenses which he has been put to, duly vouched, and proved on examination. fi. If the Waste Land Board or the County Council (as may be arranged) desire to acquire the block, ;t may so intimate to the Government, and tho Government shall thon give notice to tho purchaser of such desire. The purchaser ..hall then, on receiving the amount stated in his vouched schedule, with (say) 20 per cent, additional, convey the same to the Crown for the Land Board, the cost to be charged against tho local land rovenuo : this power to bo exercised within it limited time (say three months). 7. Provisions about roads could bo added. This is a very loose sketch ol a scheme that would, I think, work, and 1 submit it for consideration. By its means every person now called a speculator (which word seems to mo to mean any person who has got any money) would be converted into a land agent for tho county, if thought advisable, and every citizen would have an equal chance. Mr Bryce's Bill would have as littlo operation as his Native Reserves.Act has had, which no one has heard of since the fate of the Ministry was staked upon it.

And I think ua little would be heard of his agency scheme if it became law. Nevertheless,, it Would lock up the country ■md prevent colonisation and inflow; of capital ne long as it remained in forco; and with submission Id high authorities who seem lo think dilleioutly, I. do not think that it ia a i'^d thing to bring capital into the _oloiiy._-.fj am, &c., F. D. Fknton.