THE LAND QUESTION.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 3, Issue 111, 7 August 1847, Page 2

THE LAND QUESTION.

On the 15th of June, 181G, tlicro appoared a Government Gazette Notice to tho 10s. per aero purchasers requiring them to give in their claims, surveys, &c, of the land claimed by them, by the 15th September thon next. Tho notice terminated with this encouraging observation : — "■ Parties desirous to have their confirmatory <j rants from the Crown for their purchases issued at an early date, after the approval of the deeds and surveys, should m-ake application for this purpose in icriling to J/tc SurveyorGeneral." In the samo Gazette appeared a Notice to tho Id. per acre claimants, requiring them also to givo in their claims, papers, surveys, &c, but concluding with tho ominous romark that " as it appears that the Government regulations, under which tho purchases wore made, have in many cases been ovaded, no further steps than tho examination of the claims will bo taken, till tho views of Her Majesty's Government liavo been ascertained." And in tho samo Gazette appeared anotlior Notice, stating that His present Excellency had never acted under Governor Fitzßoy's Proclamations waiving the Crown's right of pre-emption —nor did he intend to do so. Tho notice concluded: — **llc(fcho Govcrnor)will however not fail to endeavour to deviso and introduco some system by which tho lands, tho property of the natives, may bo brought into tho marJcot, undor such restrictions as aro required l>y tho interests of both races." Tho policy which dictated these noticos lias gradually scaled up tho resources of country. Tho encrgotic spirit of the agriculturists and stockholders, which for tho first timo had been aroused by tho freo trade land regulations of Capt. Fitz Roy, and was producing the most beneficial effects upon the Colony, has by theso "contrary proceedings of tho present government, been completely crushed ; and tho progress of the country brought, as nearly as possible, to a dead stand still. Unless something is done, and that immediately, with this all important question of tho Land, this Colony — notwithstanding tho extraordinary military expenditure—will again retrograde. What has become of the promise made upwards of a year ago to tho 10s. claimants to givo them ''confirmatory f/rants? 1 Instead of doing so, they aro at this moment without oven tho prospect of a title, and in some cases tho government have actually pcizod upon the land, apparently with tho intention of driving off tho occupants without oven the slightest legal formality. What really do tho government intend doing with this unfortunate country ? Arc the settlers to bo kept in perpetual supenso about their land, to their individual ruin, and the stagnation of tho country ? This etato of things has alroady continued so long that the suspense becomes absolutely unbearable, therefore let the government boldly, fully, and straightforwardly, declare their intentions, without further equivocation. Tho government havo now got all the power in their hands, tho colonists aro entirely at their mercy—without titles or legal rights —so thero is no longer any excuso for furthor delay. In tho first place, let tlio government etato what they mean to do with thoso Crown titles already granted, which the sweeping decision of tho Supremo Court has invalidated. If tho government intend to confiscate theso, let them say so at onco, and put the people on their defence. If, ©n tho other hand, no such injustice is intended, the sooner it is made known tho tetter. -

tion respecting tho late communications, and throughout tho north thero is a good deal of stir and conjee turo. Tho freedom of To Ilauparaha, it appears, has given very goneral satisfaction, but tho version that is current amongst the northern tribes respecting tho motives which prompted his liberation, is deserving of serious consideration ; because, cron though falso, it may bo productivo of mischief. "The authorities should really bestir themselves to let the natives know what is going on — tuid what the policy is that wilf bo adopted. The natives cannot bear mystery, it is always associated in their minds with treachery, mid we would, in tho way of friendly caution, adviso tho government to havo no socrots from tho natives, at least no secrota affecting their interest. Tho current rumour in tho north is, that To Kanparaha was liberated, not so much because of the reque&t of Tamati Waka, but becauso of a threat of To Whcrowhero — who, it is said, hinted, that if the captive chief woro nofe sot at liberty, tho Yvaikatos would soon be in arms. Tho reporL itself may have no foundation in truth, but it is a fact tliat it is in circulation, and generally believed by tho natives in the north. Lot the governraont look to it, or tho evil may spread. Mystery invariably breeds rumours, doubts* misconceptions, and falsehoods. Earl Grey and the Missionaries. — The noblo Earl, tho Secretary of State's instructions relativo to tho confiscation of tho lands of tho natives, havo been so cautiously concocted, and boar upon the faco of them, such an apparent gloss of humanity and philanthropy, that tho leading men of tho great missionary bodies at home appear to havo fallen into the trap. Their total silouco implies that they see no injustice in tho scheme ; but this delusion cannot last long. Their agonts, out here, will not bo so easily beguiled. Knowing the falsity of tho theory that supposes tho existence of tracts of land in this countrybeing unoccupied, aro waste lands, and therefore unclaimed, and detecting at a glance, in tho noblo Earl's instructions, a breach of all faith and past pledged assurances, they will not be slow in putting their brethren and fathers in England upon tho right track ; and wo shall sea whether Earl Grey's philanthropy will stand the tost of tho severe and impartial scrutiny which will be instituted by theso powerful friends of humanity, when they are properly enlightened upon tho subject. The process of removing the bandage from their eyes and understandings hes already commenced, and wo learn with feelings of satisfaction, that tho missionaries are og tho alert, and taking stops to preservo their own and their sovereign's honor and truthfulness from the assassin-liko stabs of tlio secretary of state. Interpreters. — Wo hear that Mr. llonry Clarke, tho Governor's Interpreter, has just resigned his situation. It appears thero i 3 at present a dearth of theso necessary officials. His Excellency is almost entirely without tho means of communicating with tho natives, having no person of judgment about him, who is thoroughly acquainted with tho language, habits, and dispositions of tho natives. The Native Secretary, Mr. Symonds, is, to bo sure, still at his post, but his knowledge of Ihe language is so superficial, that he cannot bo of much service in cases of cmergoncy. Much as we regret this embarrassing state of things, still wo cannot help thinking that His Excellency has brought it upon himself. Ho dismissed without ceremony some of tho old hands, who had been years in tlio fa'crvico, and knew tho natives well, others, whom he would havo retained, he has unnecessarily offended, and they Lave left him to his own resources. It ia rumoured that Mr. Forsaith has been solicited to return to ofiico, but wo should think that that gentleman, having experienced tho uncertain character of government situations, would ponder well the chances before he gives up his present business, to return to tho slippery paths of public employment. Colonial governments will never bo well and ably served until sorno new system is introduced, giving greater security and permanency to tenures by which appointments aro held. No man of spirit and intelligence likes to depend, for his daily bread, upon tho smiles of a colonial governor. Presbyterian Cnußcn. — "Wo aro sorry to hear that tho Committee havo not yet obtained a sito for their proposed erection, which is much to bo regretted, as all building materials are now greatly advanced in price, so that an additional outlay to a considerable amount will bo ontailed upon tho subscribers. Having contributed both largely and cheerfully, many of tho subscribers aro beginning to grumble much at what appears to them a very unreasonable delay on tho part of the government ia ; giving & sito, for the. Church,

The NouTnEHN Tribes. —By tho Swan, \ from tho Bay of Hands on Thursday, wo liavo received much, interesting intelligence. Iioko has gradually attained tho position which, doubtless, hu long aimed at. IIo is de facto king of tho northern districts. Tho natives generally, perhaps unconsciously, pay the greatest defcrcnoo to him. IIo is, outwardly, quiet and peaceable in his demeanor, bub in his conversation evinces unequivocal symptoms of suspicion and distrnst. Tho following aro some- of his own remarks : — " I am not to bo caught liko an unfledged tui (Now Zealand Mocking bird.) I thoroughly understand the game tho Governor is playing ; his cards aro great guns and muskets ; his words aro as soft as down, but they moan cannon balls, soldiers, sailors, and leaden bullots." IIov much is it to bo regretted that tho policy of tho homo government, as explained and published by Earl Grey, should, instead of boing calculated to win tho comidonco and attachment of such a man, have tho very opposite) tendency, and sure to confirm and increase liis distrust and suspicion. Pcno Taui, a noted loader in tho last rebellion, has been sending his emissaries far and. wide to gatliov iuforuaa-

keopcrs and mechanics had gradually betaken themselves to tho country, and woro prospering. Now, however, tho scono is changed — they avo again returning to tho town — and vast as tho military expenditure is — and however large the circulation of money in the town, there never was a timo hero when tho competition among the shopkeepers was so great, and tho profits so small. Does any 0110 doubt this ? let him attend tho auction sales, and ho will bo able to purch&so many goods 50 per cent, undor tho original cost and charges. Tho present stato of things is altogether unnatural and most unsatisfactory, and wo earnestly and sincerely recommend the government to »o something. End suspense — do justice to all honorable- and just claims — and afterwards originate some active mcasuros to draw emigrants hero, and mako it for their good to come among us. Until tho Land Questions avo sottled — and that upon a fair and liberal basis — tho pcoplo hero aro quite careless what legislative measures tho government may introduce. Lot tho samo liboral and just avratigcment bo mado with tho Natives, and so end all tho present fighting and disturbances in the Company's settlements. Ilavo tho Natives at Wanganui been paid for their land ? — Ilavo thoso at Taranaki ? — Until thoso questions bo answered intheairnrnativo,nohonorablcmancanlook upon tbo present war without tho strongest feelings of dissatisfaction and dislike. (Jail upon tho natives to stato their grievances, and, if possible, redress them — pay them fairly for their land, and all differences and dissatisfaction among them will cease. On tho other hand, allow the present distrust and suspicion, which they entertain of tho intentions of tho government regarding their lands, to sink deep into their hearts, without making tho slightest effort to undeceive them, and the temporary and partial disliko to us may soon ba converted into general and permanent animosity botween tho races. Until tho government find out the secret of attaching tho settlors to them, it will bo in vain to expect success to any land regulations which tho government may desire to carry out with tho Natives. Tho govornment and tho sottlcrs must co-operate, or no useful ond or great change can bo accomplished — and tho government may put tho question to themselves, "Do wo desorvo tho confidenco of tho pooplo ?" Bo fore concluding vro will only further remark, that no difficulty from tho Home Government can bo urged as a cause of dolay. Tho Australian Land Sales Act is repealed, and no barrier stands in tho way of legalizing past titles, or for issuing grants for purchases already mado. It is not even necessary now to go against tho wishes, far loss tho instructions of tho Homo Government, in order to givo permission to tho Natives to sell their lands. Tho Royal Instructions expressly provide, that tho Nativos shall bo free to dispose of "any lauds by him, her, or them, holden "in scvcralty, or so- holden under any title "or tonuro in uso and known to tho law of "England." And even Lord Grey (tho unscrupulous violator of tho Treaty of Waifcangi), in his Instructions states, "that I his observations as to taking possession of tho lands, apply merely to such as aro uu- 1 cultivated, or held by tho Tribes in Com- i mon. As "Individuals they should bo as free ! as any of tho other inhabitants of New Zea- j land to acquire and to disposo of property in Land." j Wo shall soo how these Instructions, so eminently necessary for the good of the Colony, are to bo carried out !

Most of the settlers, by tho binders of the government, arc now witho\ O re -. legal title, and it is tho height of cruccen tol'rolong their anxiety by vitlilioldi'he elnW secret purposo tho intentions of tnimen^"mcut on the subject. th After thus disposing of tho Titles already granted and now destroyed, let tlio government stato their intentions regarding tho 10s. Mid Id. an acre claimants. They are industrious and oncrgotic colonists ; they have purchased their lands under government regulations ; they have an honest and honorable claim to every inch they have- acquired; — but, whether ! thoy have so or not, tlio government arc ! bound to declare their intentions regarding them and their lauds. There h ono view regarding theso claimants which is deserving of tho most caroi ul consideration, and which we havo never socn before pointed out. These claimants are lookod upon by many with no sympathy, as being merely ai set of fortunate speculators, — or, as tho Governor called them, "miserable speculator.?," whoso spoliation would provo a public benefit. This view, however, is not merely most unfair, illiberal, and uncharitable, but is positively a gravo political blunder. It is well known that, though tho liboral settlement of tho old land claims by Capt. FitzRoy had thrown into tlio market abundance of land even at nominal prices, yot tho parties to whom those lands bolongod having, by tho previous vexatious delays and expenses of tho government, been utterly ruined, woro thoreforo unable to make any use of their lands themselves, and, in nine cases out of ten, all the lands so granted woro transferred from tho original owners to their creditors, who had noithor tho means nor tho inclination of making any uso ol tho lands so transferred to them. Thoy had in most cases never ovcu seen it, and had no interest in it boyond tho hope of salo at a futuro tirao, to cover tho sum which they had laid out upon it. Lot this fact, thcreforo, bo kept in viow — and deny it who can — that largo as tho quantity of land was which was in tho market at nominal prices when Captain Fitziloy issued tho Proclrmations allowing private individuals to purchaso direct from tho natives — yet tho land was uncultivated, and no ono paying tho slightest attention to it, far less making any uso of it. Such, howover, was tho fact, whether our explanation of tho causo bo right or wrong. No soonor, however, woro theso Proclamations issued, than an immediate stiinulous was given — the settlors suddenly directed all their attention to tho land — wont at onco to tho nativos, solccted tho portion suitablo to their wants and inclinations, took theroforo a warm and energetic interest in it, and lost no timo in spending labour and capital in its improvement — much to their own bonofit as well as to that of tho general community. Some cultivated, others purchased stock, and many erected saw mills, and brought by their cheap labour our valuable kauri timber into notice in tho neighbouring colonies by reason of tho low rates which they woro thus enabled to supply it for. And it is theso very men — theso penny an aero and much reviled miserable spcculaLors — who aro now furnishing the supplies of timber to tho government — and without whoso assistance, and without tho penny-an-acro land so purchased, tlio government would not bo able to furnish shelter to tho Ponsioncrs now coming to usurp, by tho sanction of tho government, tho very lands and property of tho settlers who havo thus onabled them to locate thomsclvos in. tho country. Our limits will not permit U3 to follow out these views, but wo think wo havo said enough to provo not merely tho injustice, but tho impolicy and deep injury to this settlement, from the attempts now making to destroy theso claimants, and tako their lands from them. "VYo say without fear of contradiction, that it was theso purchases which gavo tho first and healthy stimulous to cultivation, and to tho unfolding of tho resources of tlio colony ; ■ — and wo say as fearlessly, that tho insinuations — tho inuendoes — tlio delays — the mortifications — the expenses — tho legal subtilities — tlio hopes — tho distrust and tho fears, which, for upwards of twclvo months these claimants havo undergone at the hands of tho government, havo thrown back tho country for years. Not merely aro tho claimants themselves disgusted, but every ono conncctod with tho country, who thinks upon the matter and dares to givo utterance to his genuine thoughts and opinions, is so likewise. During tho first period of every now settlement thoro seems to bo a mania for shop-keeping, and a dislike to vcuturo into tho country, to seek its slow but suro roturns both of health and worldly prosperity. Wo had passed over this period. Our glivn- '■

atBga^Lu iji.if jSflgftW""^^^*'"''"'*' E^tk vct rROM a Letter prom tub Bay 05 Islands :— "The Natives here are continuaW enquiring tlio moaning of the Queen's Instructions respecting Waste Lands It is said that translations of the Orders have been printed in Maori, and circulated among them— but I have not yet seen a copy- Suspicion is evidently aroused among them, and wilt not be easily allayed. They are, however, cropping thoir grounds more largely than ever. We have no news. The P. 0. P. Union sailed yestorday — the American -whaler Salcr.i is tlio only ship in Port, but we are daily looking for tho arrival of tho brig William Hill from Sydney. Last week, two soldiers of tho C3tb, part of the Major's boats- j crew, came to Kororarika without leave, to tako'a little recreation,— they were found iu tho house of a man named Adamson, •who has been committed to prison for 3 mouths for harboring deserters— -rather a bqyqi'Q caution."