THE WAIMARAMA CASE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 52, 25 November 1907, Page 6

THE WAIMARAMA CASE.

In tie rush of the closing hours of the session, Parliament found time to do justice to a lady who has made a long and gallant struggle against the intricacies of the Native land laws, backed by a powerful- opposing interest. We refer to the case of Miss Meinertzhagen and the Wainiarama block. It is not necessary now to review the circumstances of the case. The Natives generally were in favour of a renewal of the lease of the property to Miss Meinertzhagen, hut obstacle after obstacle was thrown in the way by outside influences, and the matter finally came under review by the Native Lands Commission, which, while opposed to allowing one person to hold more than, one lease of Native lands, recommended that Miss Meinertzhagen ■ should bo allowed lo obtain renewal of a lease of the homestead block of about 5000 acres. It is a little surprising that, in all the huge plexus of Native Land Acts which, session after session, contain so much intended to protect the Native, there is not one provision to shield the tenant of Native lands seeking a renewal of his lease from the tactics of the pakeha-Maori, who takes advantage of the credulity of the Native aud the necessities of his tenant. If the history of Native leases could be written it would astouud 'those not familiar with the subject to learn ijiow often the bona-fi.de tenant is vie-

timised in this way, and how often lie has to pay extortionate sums to keep his hearth and home. Successive Governments in the past have failed to realise that the most deadly weapon placed ia the hands of a clever agent or wire-puller is the uncertainty, and confusion of the Statutes under which Native leases have to be renewed. The evidence taken by, and the report of,the Royal Commission in the Waimarama case, and Miss Meinertzhagen's petition to Parliament, throw a lurid light on this aspect of the Native question, and Miss Meinertzhagen, by her uncompromising fight, has probably done much to influence remedial measures. How far Miss Meinertzhagen's case excited the proper sympathy, if not the indignation, of Parliament, may be inferred from the overwhelming majority—4s to 3—by which an amendment, designed to shelve the matter for a year, was rejected by the House. It is a regrettable circumstance that this amendment was moved at all. The mover, Mr. A. L. D. Fraser,could hardy claim to be entirely free from bias on the subject, seeing that during the proceed ings, outside of Parliament he appeared in tire interest of one of the parties. It would have been much more in accordance with the fitness of things if the member for Napier had suffered the bitterness of defeat in dignified silence. 'Not only was he flying in the face ..of the weight of opinion of the whole House, but, smarting under a sense of the impotency of his efforts, he was led into unchivalroiis references which, in his calmer moments, he must sorely regret. If there be anything in the rumour that the member for Napier lives in hopes of the reversion of the Hon. Mr. Carroll's portfolio, we think tliat the debate on the Waimarama case—and we in no way impugn Mr.. Eraser's honesty of purpose—will'postpone for an'indefinite period the realisation, of any. expectations which he may cherish in that respect. ■ ■