NEW ZEALAND’S POPULATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 105, 13 May 1901, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND’S POPULATION.

AN INTEBESTING COMPARISON(.SpeciaI to Times.) Auckland, Saturday. ; A Wellington correspondent telegraphs: —Adding tho Maoris to Europeans we have a total population in New Zealand of 816,290. It is interesting to compare the European population of New Zealand with that of the larger sister colonies. Tho figures are: New Zealand 776,439 New South Wales ... 1,362,232 Victoria 1,195,874 Comparing the increases in the three colonies puring tho last ten years wo find that while the population of New Zealand has increased by 146,781 there has only been an increase in Victoria of 55,469. In New South Wales, with a population of almost double our own, tho increase has only been 228,995. For many- years the extension of settlement, aiid tho increase of population in tho North Island, wero obstructed by a chronic Native difficulty, which scared away capital and enterprise. The gradual subjection and pacification of the tribes inhabiting the extensive fertile lands in the heart of the North Island the sure recognition by the Maoris of the futility- of resistance to eivilsation and settlement ; the death or disaffection of the , band of irreeoneilables who surrounded the Maori king, and in whose bosoms still rankled' the wound loft by war, and at length a general-feeling among the tribes of confidence in the efforts of tho Europeans for their mutual well-being ; —these, with many other causes, have combined to break down the old barriers, and to give a wonderful impetus to the settlement of the land. Aided by the liberal and farseeing land policy of the present Government, the great areas of agricultural and pastoral lands will be rapidly occupied! The Maoris cannot afford to keep their lands locked up, and the communal sys: tem is breaking up. The Maoris arc fast' improving their social and domestic condition, and they are developing new tastes and needs. The Maori Lands Administration Act will ensure just dealing with existing rights', while as an effective corollary the Maori Councils will look to tho sanitary welfare of tho tribes. Thqs, as time goes on, we may confidently expect " to see settlement in tho North Island greatly accelerated.