The Daily Telegraph. FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1888.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5193, 13 April 1888, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1888.

It is quite impossible to make an ordinary South Islander believe otherwise than that the Maori is a model of trustful innocence and the settler who buys land from him a deceitful rascal. It is in this belief that tho North Ot.igo Times writes, and wo are the more sorry to notice it because that journal is generally well informed, aud has always been well conducted. It acknowledges at tho commencement of its article, that ninetynine out of every hundred settlers in the Middle Island are, as the Hon. Dr Menzies professed himself to bo last session, in perfect ignorance in regard to all matters connected with the chicanery, deceit, aud rascality iv association with dealings in native lands by private parties. The ignorance in these matters which is deplored by our southern contemporary is not to be wondered at, because no oue can bo acquainted with that which has no existence. If there have been chicanery, deceit, and rascality it has been on the part of the innocent Maori, and the European settler has been the victim. But the North Otago Times entertains no such idea as that, and falls foul of the telegraphed report of the native meeting lately held at Ropata's place on the East Coast, and characterises it as balderdash. In that telegram it was stated, amongst other things, that " Mr J. Carroll was tho principal speaker, and ably advocated the wants of the uativo people, more especially frectrade in native land," etc. Then Mr Mitcbelson, as Native Minister, made reference to the repeal of i the Native Land Administration Act, observing that " the Government thought the time had arrived when the natives should manage their own affairs, and they would introduce legislation enabling them to manage their own affair..." Tho North Otago Times unhesitatingly informs its readers that these "great native meetings" aro all humbug, got up at the _ instigation of Pakeha Maoris in tho interest of land sharks! Then it goes on to say that " tho Nativo Land Administration Act of 1866 made it impossible for Europeans to buy land from the Maorisexcept through the medium of the Government acting as trustees for the natives in tho matter. This of course practically put a stop to the nefarious business of tho European land sharks ; in other words, to the downright robbery of tho Maoris." It is quite impossible to argue against such ignorance as the above extract from the article displays. Not only is a mistake of twenty years made iv the date of the Act, but the error is repeated twice in tho same column ; but it does not seem to bo understood down South that unless free trade in native lands is permitted settlement comes to a standstill. The Maoris will not sell to the Government in tho way laid down by the Native Lands Administration Act, for tho simple reason that it would deprive them of all control of their tribal estates the instant they desired to dispose of a portion of that from which they derived no benefit. If there is one thing more than another that the Maoris are jealous of routining, it is the right to determine who their tenant shall be. There is another thing which the South Island settler does not. consider, which is that the Government havo not the money to buy native lands, survey them, road them, and sell them to the pakeha at a profit to tho Maori vendors. The Native Lands Administration Act was nothing less than an Act to rob tho Maoris, and until it is repealed settlement imut continue stagnant, valuable lands remain iv a state of nature, and the natives penniless.