Land Court Judgeships.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 395, 24 December 1889, Page 3

Land Court Judgeships.

In a letter to a Wellington paper “ New Zealander ” writes Not the least objectionable feature in this matter is the utter absurdity, not to say immorality, of placing in this responsible position a person entirely incapable of carrying out the fundamental principle of all native land legislation, namely, that cf determining ths ownership to native land according to Maori oustom and usage, Will anyone dare avow that Mr Trimble can do his duty in thia respect 1 Will he not be entirely at tbe mercy ot the native interpreter?—with the inevitable result that the unfortunate native suitor will suffer the consequences. Daring his political career, he displayed an austerity bordering on positive antipathy toward the Maori race, which is far from assuring, Perhapi tbe most reprehensible part of the whole business lies in the undeniable fact that both in and outside the Civil Service there are men absolutely qualified to discharge the very onerous duties of Native Judges. Men of high moral worth and intelligence, who have borne tbe heat and burden ot the day; who have sacrificed health and risked their lives in the service of an ungrateful and indifferent country. Men whose natural probity and independence of character forbid their rendering that servile obedience which seems to be so surely rewarded by the bestowal of high and luorative offices. The representatives of the people will entirely fail in their duty if they do not, when Perilsliament meets, express their emphatic protest against the exercise of such gross favouritism and degradation of the public service. It is now proposed that in January next there shall be an utter cessation of tbe Native Land Court sittings for some time, notwithstanding the enormous arrears ot work, in order (hat tbe judges may all meet in Wellington, when tbe inexperienced and newlyappointed judges will be taught the goose step. I would strongly urge the old and tried judges to refuse to be drawn, and to allow the responsibility of making improper appointments to rest upon the present Government,