THE NEW NATIVE MINISTER.

Evening Star, Issue 8809, 26 April 1892, Page 1

THE NEW NATIVE MINISTER.

The representative of the Eastern Maori electoral district, who has recently been appointed a member of the Executive Council, and, practically, is Native Minister, does not, evidently, find his new position actually a bed of roses. The Natives are exceedingly jealous of any one of their own race attaining power under the Crown; whilst the large section, who, practically, continue in heart disaffected, object to anything and everything which, in their opinion, tends to bring about political and social equality in the condition of European settlers and the Maoris a consummation so much to be desired in the interests of the community. It was entirely owing to the feeling among the Natives themselves that the former experiment of having Maoris in the Cabinet was after a year or two abandoned ; and we confess to grave doubts as to whether the present appointment has been altogether judicious. Mr Carroll holds very strong views in regard to the Crown resuming the right of pre-emption over lands owned by the Maoris. He dissented from his colleagues in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the subject of the Native land laws on this point, appending to the report a long note, in which he set forth his opinions. In this he declares that the resumption of the pre-emptive right would be “unwise and impolitic,” while the legality is open to grave doubts. The Native Land Bill introduced last session by the Hon. Mr C adman, then Native Minister, but not proceeded with further than the second reading, provided that the Goverment should come in first, with a view to the settlement of the land, and that no block of land of greater area than 5,000 acres should be dealt with by private individuals. Mr Carroll, it may be noted, denounced the Bill, declaring that it would not be satisfactory to the Native race. It must be presumed that the Cabinet have either changed their mind in regard to a most important point of Native policy, or that Mr Carroll has fallen in with their views. It is well understood that a Native Lands Administration Bill will be one of the pieces de resistance submitted to Parliament this year. Shortly after his joining the Cabinet Mr Carroll met a large assemblage of the East Coast Natives, who are his constituents, at Hastings, the proceedings being conducted on the European system. There was very nearly being a free fight to begin with, since a local chief, Hbnark Tomoano, insisted on taking the chair, although Henare Matua was voted into it. The new Minister explained at some length his reasons for acquiescing in the request of the Government that he should take office, and what his standing would be while holding the position he did. He recognised, he said, the important responsibility thrown upon him, which he had not undertaken without very mature consideration. He had ultimately decided that to refuse the opportunity would not be in accord with his duty as a Maori representative, nor with his feelings, as having the interests of New Zealand at heart. The hour had arrived when reform in the administration of Native affairs, and the amelioration of the condition of the race, demanded immediate attention, with a view to decisive action. Previously to his accession to office, he declared, he had simply represented in the House the Eastern Maori electoral district; now he represented the whole Maori race. He felt that the Government, in offering him the appointment, recognised the possibility that before anything satisfactory in the waypf legislation could be effected it was incumbent that some one of the race, familiar with the customs, the history, and wishes of the Natives, should have a voice in the Cabinet. Ministers had honored him, he said, in their choice—- “ time would reveal whether they had erred.” One thing, he assured them, “ was that he only wanted to be of use “to the people and to the country. He “ had no thirst for office, nor did he “ desire to remain in office if he could “ not be of some service.”

The honorable gentleman proceeded to point out the advantages to the Maoris as a whole in being directly represented in the Ministry. They were aware, he said, that next session it was likely that a new Native Bill would be brought before Parliament. “ Was it not better “ that one of themselves, knowing ,‘their thoughts, having heard their “ wants, should be present when “ the Bill was being framed, to offer “ suggestions, to oppose dangerous “ clauses, and to protect their interests “ generally 1” At the same time, he desired them to understand that their interests could not in any way be promoted at the expense and sacrifice of other sections of the inhabitants of New Zealand. The country had to advance, and they had to advance with it, side by side with their European brethren. The Native members, he further said, had not the opportunity of discussing measures in Cabinet. “ It was for his hearers to “ say whether they were not deriving a “ benefit from the accession of one of “ the four (such a minority in the “ House) to the rvnunga which ruled.” Again, when petitions were sent to the Native Affairs Committee, and referred by that Committee to the Government, was it not preferable that such petitions should come nnder the eye of a Maori Minister rather f.]hn.n that they should be decided by those unacquainted with the delicate points of the grievance ? Mr Carroll concluded this portion of his pd-

dress by forcibly impressing on the Natives that their troubles of the day did not lay so much to the door of the Government as with themselves. They should, by joint action and unanimity, burying party and racial differences, come to just and wise conclusions. They would then find that his colleagues in the Ministry with himself would give earnest consideration to their representation, and do all in their power for the benefit of the Maori race, A great number of questions were asked, the most important of which related to the Treaty of Waitangi, a general opinion being expressed that the conditions of the treaty should be rigidly enforced. Mr Carroll stated that this was too comprehensive a question to treat lightly, and he suggested that the subject should be approached with care and very mature consideration. “ Though “ some of the conditions of that treaty “ were attractive at the first blush, “ there were others that would scarcely “suit the Natives of 1892. If they “ asked for the reinstatement in full “of the treaty, then that meant the “pre-emptive right” It may be noted that the honorable gentleman is to be present at the great Native meeting which takes place immediately at Waitangi, when the chief subject of discussion is expected to be this celebrated treaty, in respect to which the Natives, or very many of them, believe that they have substantial grievances, in connection especially with their alleged rights to the foreshore and the oyster fisheries.

Mr Oarroll in the address we have referred to, and his general conduct as a Minister, seems to have displayed sound judgment and common sense, and we are inclined to think that he will use his influential position to the benefit of the Colony at large.