NATIVE TOWNSHIPS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 458, 17 March 1909, Page 9

NATIVE TOWNSHIPS.

Sir,—Mould you kindly allow mo spaco in your columns to draw attention to a few matters m connection with Native-owned townships, with particular regard to Taumarunui. I do not think that tho public of ftew Zealand generally recognise tho importance of tho issue at stake, nor do they at all foresee tho inimeuso consequences which will certainly ariso in tho future from tho pohoy of leasing Maori land in tho King Country. The interior of tho North Island is making very rapid progress, and two great settlements are developing around Taumarunui and To Kuiti. Theso towns aro destined, to becomo great centres of population and business, consequently land in theso places must becomo very valuable. Tho tenure is a twenty-one year Maori lease winch applies to every section, both business and residential. The Government of JNew Zealand has constructed tho Main Irunk lino through this part of tho country at the cost of millions. They are now opening up every part of the interior by roads and bridges, supplemented by the immense work of thousands of white- settlors, yet tho Maori landlords of Taumarunui and To iUilti reap the whole of tho reward of the pakeha s industry at tho expiration of the present leases. Surely, sir, tho people of the Dominion aro not aware of what is happening. .The same thing applies to hundreds of thousands of acres of country lands owned by Maoris. Tho Taumarunui Town Council after countless failures have ut last obtained tho consent of tho Native Minister to allow a portion of tho rents received from tho township to be advanced by way of a loan for streot improvements, conditionally upon the Natives having a representative on tho council. This seems fair, and means a considerable step forward. But observe, sir, that the Natives aro only advancing the money in order that their own property may be improved by tho formation of streets', etc. The local council is now putting forward a claim for representation by at least one member on tho Maori Laud Board, which has control of the township. Seeing that Crown tenants have a representative or. Crown Land Boards, this seems to bb an eminently just and reasonable request to make, and I trust that it will be given effect to, even if special legislation is required to enable it to bo done. Tho Native Land Boards are truly Maori ji their methods of doing business, unending neglect and delay attending all they do. For instance, the Wanganui River has been steadily encroaching on tho town, and has already washed away many acres of valuablo 'and, yet not even tho interests of tho Maoris themselves can move tho Land Board to do any protectivo work, although there are plenty of funds available. A great deal could be written upon the treatment recoived by tho peoplo of Taumarunui from their Land Board, and I trust that as timo goes on tho whole position will bo revealed to the public at largo.—l am, etc., RESIDENT. Taumarunui, March 12.