The Ensign. MONDAY, JULY 6, 1914. NATIVE LANDS.

Mataura Ensign, 6 July 1914, Page 4

The Ensign. MONDAY, JULY 6, 1914. NATIVE LANDS.

Tl;g difficulty of dealing with native lands is nvell known to "Xorth Island settlers, but it lias never been generally brought home to those of the South Island. Judge Uilfedder, in acknowledging a welcome to liim by the Ikaroa District Maori Land Board at Masterton a few days ago, had something to say about the South Island. For many years he has held the dual position of judge and president in the South Island. He finds that the natives of the South are divesting themselves of their lands, are spending the purchase money and fast becoming landless. He had set his face against this practice with a certain amount of success. Some who knew the ways and weaknesses of the.Maori had endeavored to take ad- 1 vantage of him. Many people said that the Maori was alblo to take care of himself, but that was not the judge's experience. It is true that native hind had become valuable through the,presence of European settlers, but it is also true that year by year the native is being pushed further and further back, while his best lands are passing into European hands. This is, in the judge's opinion, the condition of things all over the Dominion. The native question was not and should not bo a party one, because all parties of every shade of political opinion had endeavored to deal justly towards the aboriginal race. Each party had passed laws to prevent the native becoming the victim, of harpies and a pauper. Too often Governments were blamed for the shortcomings or delinquencies of their officials who* were expected to carry out their duties in a fair and conscientious manner. But while it iras necessary to protect the interests of the natives", it- was also right that they should take i'eare to act lvmestly to the nakeha. 'Phis I was not alwavs done by them. Tile Maori Land Boards must not confirm an alienation of Maori land if such j were calculated to render the native i landless. Each native was supposed to have sufficient land for bis support, according to his condition and family obligations. Even although ho might have a profession or trado ; the native could not alienate the whole of his land without the Governor's consent. Under the Act of 1913 a native could sell, but the Maori Laud Board could pay the mojjCy to the Public Trustee to be held fowhis benefit, This power had been given so that a native with a number of small areas of land in different districts could soil them and either purchase a workable block or have the money invested for his benefit. The judge remarked that much care was necessary in discriminating in this matter, for fear of placing the Maori in a helpless condition financially. The judge has appointed one of a 1 Roval Commission of two to investigate the condition of the South Island Native.-- .find to make recommendation.? as to the best method of dealing with the roseiTai'ons for landless native?. There are large' .blocks in the northwestern Hokonais which should be brought ; nto useful c.c?upat'on as a result of the labors of the Commjesioa, |

While the pakoha has no desire to see j the .Maori left landless or penniless, J lie earnestly u isho.< that tie,- native ; lauds should bo put into profitable occupation. ]|' the Maori'will no; do this, | then the Fmropjosn will most certainly; insist upon, the land being made avail-] able for him. Thi.« may easily be done] in Southland by the appointment of a | trustee who would havAjiowor to lease [■ or sell the land on ■behflßpf the Maori 1 owners. The money rWoived for the freehold of the land cmild be invested for the benefit of the natives, or it the land were eased the louts could bo distributed In- the truster.* to tho rigbtfu' owners. Under piv>ent conditions this reserved land Is useless to the native* and a menace to European .settlor,* in its vicinity, as it is full of noxious woods and rnbbitti.' it will be in the public interest if the Commission, can devise a practical method of dealing with it.