Hawke's Bay Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1888. NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 8009, 23 March 1888, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1888. NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION.

Unless the brake is to remain on the progress of the North Island for some time to come, there must be in the next session of Parliament some legislative«action to facilitate the occupation and utilisation of the large tracts of native land now lying unproductive, or nearly so. Yet we hare heard of no bill with that object in view being drafted, and Parliament will iv all probability be sitting within three months. It will not be time enough to brin^ down a bill after Parliament lias assembled. Native land legislation is so entirely exceptional in its nature that the widest publicity should be given to any proposed alteration in the law some time before Parliament meets, so that the natives may know at any rate the broad features of what is proposed, and may express an opinion on it. We have not any great belief in the value of such an expression of opinion, for it is difficult to makft the Maoris really undeistnnd what will be the effect of suggested legislation, but there are many southern members who do not understand, and do not profess to understand, the peculiar difficulties surrounding the question, and they are sure to obstruct any measure which has not been fully explained to the Maork before it is introduced into -the House. On all hands the Native Lands Administration Act i» now unreservedly condemned. We believe that we are right iv saying tbit.not a single transaction has taken place under it, thus fullilliug the prophecies of all who, unlike Mr C:iUance, understood something ot the working of the Maori mind. The natives — except a small number who support the Act on thu undisguised ground that it stops all dealings in Native lands—arc thoroughly disgusted with it, and the same feeling animates all Europeans who wish to see the North Island settled. Some of those who most warmly supported the Act, from want of uudorstauding of its inevitable effect, now by inference, most strongly condemn it. The Post, for example, which lauded the Act to the skies when it wus introduced, now turns round nnd "slates" the present Government for their "dog-in-the-manger" policy in refusing to acquire native lands for the Crown, or to let Europeans acquire them. The truth is thai years ago Parliament directed that the Crown should cease to enter into any new negotiations for the purchase of native lauds, and should contine itself to completing imperfect titles, while it is the Act once so lauded by the Pout which prevents private individuals dealing. The matter is of the utmost importanse to us, and the present position, as well as what is required in the shape of future legislation, were well delincd by Mr Duthie, chairman 01 the tVcllington Chamber of Commerce, ia his annual address to that body. Commenting upon a clause iv the report of the Canterbury Chamber, declaring that "The public works and services of the colony aro on a scale, and involve an expenditure, very much in excess of the existing population," Mr Duthio said, " It cannot be denied that settlement has not progressed in proportion to works opening up the country, and what little has been done has often been in pursuit of some legislative fad, ignoring the economical conditions under which settlers could benefit themselves or the colony. Although there has been some settlement iv the Manawatu and elsewhore, the progress of this district continues to be retarded by the state of native land legislation. At the present time nil but a dead-lock exists, which should not continue. Coming in contact with a barbarous race it would he expected of us to see that intlionni'l.'ivxerves were set aside so that no native need ever come to want, but beyond this the Maoris receive the benefits of civilisation, and should take tho responsibilities. The ownership of lialf of this island was probably in dispute when the Europeans came to it jifty years ago. Toddy it is all but impossible to do justice even by the most upright and painstaking of judges, and as hi act of justice the survey of all native lundo should without delay be systemntically proceeded with and the title determined, enabling the owners to turn it to profitable uae. Large areas of land in tliH province that are now locked up would then be available for settlement. Mid we have to look to the solution of thu difficulty as a mnin feature in the immediate prosperity of the North Island. It ia to immigration and settlement of the waste lands that wo have to turn to replace public works. Colonists will have to look to this, and not to Government expenditure i» the near future." This is the calmly expressed opinion of keenly observant bminess men, and not of a politician animated by party feeling, mid it puts in a few words the real need of tbo North Island.