REGISTRATION OF NATIVE DEATHS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1757, 18 October 1887, Page 2

REGISTRATION OF NATIVE DEATHS.

To the Editor of the Star.

Sir, — I think the above is of sufficient importance to warrant me in asking for a small space in your paper in order that the question may receive atttention. A fortnight since an undertaker in the district applied to the Registrar of Deaths to registrar the death of a native. He had a doctor's certificate and the usual Governrnent form filled up with all necessary particulars as to the deceased porson as required by the Act. The Registrar refused to register because it was a native. Such an injustice strikes one with greater force at a time when one of the native members is agitating the House of Representatives in the direction of making the laws the same for both races. Putting on one side the sentimental portion of the injustice done, it would appear that the refusal to register a native's death is exceedingly foolish when proof of death is so often required in the Native Land and other Courts when orders of successiou to natives are applied for. In this district, where all native lands are held under Crown grant, succession orders to deceased natives are very frequently applied for, and in many instances the exact date of death cannot be proved, whilst in some not oven an approximate date can bo arrivpd nt. There would doubtless be a difficulty in enforcing registration, but registration should be allowed at the option of the relations, and certainly not prohibited. I do not know if registration is prohibited ;* I only suppose so from the fact of the refusal to register in the case referred to. During the last few yeats great strides have been taken in the way of making the natives amenable to English law. The criminal code has been strictly enforced at Parihaka and elsewhere, and the various rates on their property have been levied under the Crown and Native Land Rating Act. As a matter of fact, in some instances their land has been charged double rates. The rates have been paid by the European lessee, whilst the Government has paid under the Act mentioned. This has since been, I believe, rectified. Whilst thus enforcing amenity to the laws — civil and criminal — it would appear nothing but fair that any privileges which a British subject is entitled to should be extended to the natives, and I presume it is a privilege to place on record the fact that, having duly lived as a law-abiding subject, a person has nob gone to his long home unnoticed. It is not the rule to give the names of all natives travelling by steamer, the lists reading — Messrs So-and-so and So-and-so and six natives. That is probably because there is a difficulty in getting their proper names, but, when a native has departed from amongst us for a journey from which he never can return, we might surely find a little time to record his individuality. — I am, 4c., Bereaved.