THE MAORI PROBLEM

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21806, 11 June 1936, Page 19

THE MAORI PROBLEM

TO THE EDITOB OF THE PHESS. Sir, Some time ago a cartoon appearing in “The Press” represented John Citizen as being bewildered by the shower of gifts provided by an obliging Slave of the Lamp in the person of Mr Savage. It is notable, however, that while it would appear that the Administration has attempted to benefit most sections of the community. the label native rehabilitation was not attached to any of the good things illustrated by the cartoonist. It will be freely admitted by opponents as well as by friends of the Government that it is pursuing an energetic legislative policy. Therefore this letter is not intended to criticise. It is however, not out of place to point out at the present juncture that in the Maori problem we have a- question demanding early consideration, and while it is probable that pressure of other business has prevented the Government from giving this matter the attention it deserves, the Prime Minister would be performing a real service if before the adjournment he gave some indication of the Government’s intentions in this direction. Compared with most of the problems requiring solution, the Maori problem is simplicity itself. The native race has demonstrated its willingness, as well as its ability, to adjust itself to the requirements of European civilisation; it has. by virtue of its own good qualities, thrown off the fatal despair threatening it with extinction, to emerge as a resurgent social unit; and to-day it is seeking the opportunity of capitalising this new outlook. This opportunity exists in a ■ progressive and sound, policy of native land settlement. As thp natives at the present time do possess collectively a considerable* area of land, this need not involve the State in an extensive and expensive scheme of land purchase: it only requires the removal of disabilities in the shape of a chaotic system of ownership and of lack of finance, which at present prevent Maori enterprise from raising the economic and social status of the race. Neither of these obstacles is difficult to overcome; legislation providing for consolidation of titles aided by the common sense of the natives themselves. will overcome difficulties arising from the land question; while the payment of an adequate compensation for the many unjust confiscations of Maori land, coupled with a reading scheme employing Maori labour at standard wages on native land, would go far to settle the problem of finance. It should be unnecessary to point out that as the Maori problem is largely due to the folly and injustice of the early days of European settlement, any scheme of native rehabilitation is in no sense a concession; at this stage it may be best described as an act of tardy justice or as the belated assumption of an obligation arising from European aggression. It thus follows that any polity in this direction should have the sympathetic interest of every section of the community.—Yours, etc.. H.J.E. Culverden, June 9. 1936.