NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8072, 24 August 1905, Page 4

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Dissatisfaction has been expressed in the House —and this too by a Government supporter, Mr A. L. D? Fraser— with the administration- -of the Native Department. While the Native Land Court and Native Lands Administration estimates were before the House, Mr Fraser used some strong language in regard to the Department. He said that some of the appointments which had been made in the Department could only be described as " positively indecent." He described the Maori land councils as " retrograde and bastard institutions," which even the Premier had admitted were a failure. As to the salaries of the Native Land. Court judges, "the amounts -they^ received were • ridiculously small, and sufficient to attract only junior clerks in a lawyer's office. Men were appointed to the Native Land Court who would not be employed in an office at £2 a week, and yet such men" we're entrusted with the adjudicatioa of cases representing sums of about £200,000, and involving even the very birthright of the people. He quite, believed that the present occupants of the Bench were honourable, straightforward men, but there, were plenty of such men walking about the streets whom they would never dream of placing on a. Native Land Court Bench. He said he considered that the fault was not due to the Native Minister, but to certain members of the Ministry who possessed that " little -knowledge" which is a "dangerous thing," and expressed the opinion that if the Native Minister would only " take the bit in his teeth " and "run the show," a better state of things would be brought about.

Mr Fraser, who has some knowledge of Maori affairs, was supported hy Mr Hemes. The latter criticised the re* appointment of Mr Henare Kaihau, M.H.R., as a member of the Waikato Maori Land Council, since the House in 1900 struck out of the Bill a clause permitting one man holding the two offices. The Ministerial excuse was that Mr Kaihau's appointment was merely an extension of his appointment under the old Act till' the election of the new councils at the end of this" month. Mr Kaihau had, however, asked that his-name be withdrawn. Mr Fraser was not satisfied and returned' to the B*tack, saying that the reappointment was most discreditable to the Government. He again referred to the Maori land councils, describing them as " wretched, contemptible bodies," which offered obstacles, instead of assistance, in the settlement of native lauds. It may be stated, however, that Mr Fraser's remarks do not "apply to all parts of the colony, since the Council in the Wanganui district is said to he working satisfactorily. Any scheme which will improve the condition of the Maoris should be welcomed, and.it is certainly disquieting to.find that legislation which it was thought would be beneficial is operating to the disadvantage of the native race.