"CANADA AND UNITED STATES."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 195, 12 May 1908, Page 9

"CANADA AND UNITED STATES."

Sir, —In his letter of April 25, which appeared in Tub Dominion of May 7, "Ontario" apparently wishes to indicate that Canada was not a British colony until 1867, and if that were the ease the. effeets of Treaties made in '1818 and 1840 would not concern her, but Canada has been a self-governing colony since 1791, and tho relative positions of Great Britain, Canada, ■ and the United States, and tho contingent results of unsettled disputes (especially to Canada), havo been the same over since. Tho spontaneous and unostentatious concession in tho tariff was most creditable to the Canadian Government, and as compared with so-called "preferential trade " was a real concession and not a sham, and was chiefly duo to the clearsighted and fair-minded man who presides at Ottawa; and who, although, or perhaps becauso, ,ho is a Frenchman, attaches moro value to the British connection than some, •others who arc of British blood; and even if ho feels impelled to sometimes express disappointment always does so in tho language of a polished gentleman. But, after all, tho concession is- only in tho nature of a trade discount to Canada's best customer. What " Ontario "■ means by " exploiting the colonics" I do not know; the only exploitation that I am acquainted with is tho contribution of population, and tho lending of money for the purpose of assisting in the development of their resources, besides a considerable unrequited expenditure in the protection of tho colonies and their commerce. It is, however, scarcely worth discussing theso matters now,'as tho federation, in some form, of Canada with the United States is inevitable, and is already within nieasurablo dista'neo of being accomplished, and then these questions' Will settle thomsclves.—l am, otc , A. S. ALDRICH. Paraparaumu, Slay 9, 1908. THE NATIVE LAND QUESTION, Sir,—A letter by Mr. C..A. Young appears in The Dominion of April. 21, regarding tho Maori. .1 am a Kawhia settler and know tho Natives from having talked to them. Mr.'Young deals, with, the past, I leave the past behind and .deal with right now. -Tho Natives here havo schools in places/ and in other places there are none.. .Tlidy are very anxious to learn English and ought .'to bo taught to write English as well as Maori. Most write Maori well. Tho general wish of the Natives is to be treated as British subjects, to have the same laws as wo have. This especially in .land laws is denied-them, and if thoy had all their lands individualised .under our landlaws, no more would bo hoard about tho -vast areas of Native land lying waste; - Tho Natives and whites would' benefit. The exponso of the Native land business would stop. All business would bo' dono between those interested. ; All thoso ' who now make a living as Nativo interpreters : would have to work otherwise, for a living. All sales and leases would come imdor the usual .white laws. Those in quest v crf land would apply through tho Commissioner of Crown Lands Office, arid come under tho present restrictions as to area, residence and .improvements; The Natives would he free. Tho North Island would become settled and moro productive, extending trade, and commerce.

The Governments of the past aro responsible for the present injustico to tho Natives in not -making, them British subjects and allowing them tho benefit of all our laws. It is_ jicvcr : too late to improve,' so that tho Ward Government may obviate this difficulty. Tho .principal, troublo-is that ■ members of Parliament and Ministers know -nothing practical or truo -of what tho Maori and l'akeha suffer- under this, unfair ■ legislation. —I am, etc., ■:

I'AKEHA MAORI, Kawhia, April 29, 1908. • . - '.