HOW TO DEAL WITH NATIVE LANDS.

Evening Star, Issue 14572, 22 May 1911, Page 8

HOW TO DEAL WITH NATIVE LANDS.

The policy of “Taihoa” is acting as a bar to the settlement of the country, and is placing at the disposal of the native race eoornxras sums of money in unearned increment. It is, iin fact, creating a Maori aristocracy at the expense of the Imropean population. This could bo obviated, and the native race saved from destruction from ennui by a simple process of administration. The Government could acquire the power (which they sought under the Land Act of last year) to appropriate the whole of the remaining native lands m tho Dominion by lease. The aboriginal race should be paid in interest, say 4 per cent., on the present leasing value. Tho State should then sub-lease the lands, with a right of purchase, on the same terms and conditions under which Crown lands are at present leased. The natives should bo given the first opportunity at the ballots, and, if thev were successful, they should be made to* effect the same improvements as are required from Europeans, and should be placed under similar restrictions in respect to default. In tho event ot the j natives taking up the land, they would, i of course, bo required to pay tho same | rental as would a European, the only j difference being that thev would be in j receipt of 4 per cent, on the capital value i of the land, with which to pay their rent. In cases where the right of purchase is exercised tho money realised would bo | vested in the Public Trustee for all time, ; anv surplus over tho 4 per cent, going to j the State. If a process such as that above \ outlined were adopted, thousands of acres j of land would be speedily placed into pro- . Stable occupation by natives and Euro- | peans, and the problem of the future of; the race would be solved. It would not j be necessary to wait, (or the individual!sation of the lands. All that would be required would be a fair valuation hv ! valuers representing the Government and j the natives. The individualisation of; native interests could be performed simul- ' taneously or subsequently. The contm- j genev of an increase of natives is so remote j that’this aspect of the financial question need hardly bo discussed. Even shoukl the new conditions result in an increase, j the State would be possessed of a sufficient * sum of money over and above the 4 per , cent, with which to make provision for | the remaining natives. The probabilities j are, however, that in tho course of_ years | the native race will be absorbed in the j European. Tho liability would then be : gradually reduced, and the interest upon | native lands would naturally roverl to the j State. — - Wairarapa Ago.’ ;