CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 238, 8 October 1942, Page 4

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

OKAKBI (To the Editor.) In all human affairs there are few actions more vile than having wrought a wrong upon any person or persons, then to apply Hitler's code of sustaining and perpetuating the wrong by might. Indisputable evidence shows that, the land in IR6B was awarded by Chief Judge Fen ton, of the Native Land Court, to the hapus of Te Taor. Ngaoho and Te Uringutu, and the 13 natives to whom the title was issued were trustees for the three tribes, and to make assurance doubly sure the land was made inalienable, thereby fortifying if necessary, the fact that it was held in trust. The Government negotiators may not have known of the vendors being trustees, and that, without the express sanction of the centuiqui trust, no valid sale could be effected. Solicitors, be they acting for the Government or the vendors, however, must have known the legal maxim affecting a wrong. It has been contended that the "kainga ' is an eye-sore, but it is not generally known that that is the fault of the City Council refusing permission to erect new buildings or repair old ones. The question of typhoid being endemic is answered by an authority upon the subject, who states it is not more so than any other locality in Auckland or its environs. It is the bounden duty of every honest citizen to join in the protest against the dispossession of the birthright of these "unfortunate Maoris." C. E. MAJOR.