MAORI LAND PROBLEM.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 579, 6 August 1909, Page 4

MAORI LAND PROBLEM.

HON. J. CARROLL'S VISIT TO THE KINO COUNTRY. NATIVES DEOLARE FOR PROGRESS. Upon his return last night from the King Country, where he addressed the Natives with refe-enco fcu his new, proposals in connection wil'h tho Native land ' and other problems, tlie Acting-Prime Minister., (the ■ Hon. J, Oanoil) told a. Dominion reporter that he wns well satisfied , with the results of his tiiy. It was probable, he added, that ' ho. would visit oth« districts interested ju Nat! vo limd matters. ■Whilst , at Otorohanga, Mr. OaJToll, who was accompanied by % Hon. Wi Pore. Dr. Buck, lieu Ilou (Taupo), and Mftxa Maru and Huo (Rangitikei), met representatives of the Ngatimamapoto tribe. As there wero among the Natives a number of keen, intelligent men, including John Ormsby and Pcpene Eketone, the proceedings were conducted on practical business-like lines. Prior to the arrival of Mr. Carroll, consideration had been given to his proposals,, and resolutions formulated. Ono of the matters raised by the Natives was the question of tho ratting and taxing of Native lands. They stated that they wore quite prepared ■to • pay tasee ' and rates, provided that they wore given the same facilities a«J the Europeans to raieo produce and put it on tho markets, and that tho benefits of the Advances to Settlers' • .Ant wore extended to them. It was their opinion that tins time was ripe when they should .work their lands and be placed on the same- footing as" tho Europeans. They further intimated 'that they were prepared to help.to improve property in tho Native ■ townships'. Then again, at Tβ Kuiti, where Mr. Carroll was entertained by tho, Chamber of Commerco, ho set forth his new propo&ak. At Tautnarunui. the representatives of. tho Ngatihaua tribe also informed Mr. Carroll. that they were agreed that the time bad oomo when the Nativo pooplo ehould help to boar the burdens of State. ; Throughout, the keynote was that the Natives should beoomo farmers, t and that-they should sharo the '■. same privileges and burdens aa tho Euro-' peaiiß. It was pointed put that if they were rated they would expect representation 0n../ the local bodies. ' "Progress 1, was tiro motto V everywhere. ■' ' , , '. ■ :,