Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copies Daily. Monday, February 10, 1908. SOME HARSH PROCEEDINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8508, 10 February 1908, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copies Daily. Monday, February 10, 1908. SOME HARSH PROCEEDINGS.

Adherence to the strict letter of the law\does not alwaya mean that justice is done, and it therefore frequently happens that consideration of certain principles of equity is necessary before litigants can be fairly dealt with. Such a case seems to have cropped up in an aggravated form in Southland as a result of some natives having been deprived of their lands in the early days. It seems that three mem* bers of the native race are affected. They are entitled to participate in the Waiau lands endowment concessions, which were granted by way of compromise far their having been wrongfully deprived of reserves in the Otago Block, originally ceded by the natives on the distinct understanding that one out of every 10 sections distributed should be reserved for native use and occupation. In July of 1907 these natives were notified by the then Commissioner of Crown Lands of Southland to remove all their goods and stock and to vacate their sections within 14 days. Otherwise, it was intimated, legal proceedings would be taken to expel and remove them. Being unable to realise the position, the natives continued in occupation, and 'the matter culminated in the Magistrate's Court at Orepuki a few days Ago, when they were charged with 'occupying land without "right title/or interest." The counsel for the .natives characterised the proceedings as most unconstitutional and harsh. The Government had neglected to gazette the lands, and it was now taking advantage of its own neglect to oust the unoffending natives. The extraordinary demand that had arisen for bush lands was at the bottom of the procedure, and instead of allowing and encouraging the natives to settle on the land set aside for them they were being driven further afield into the western wilderness.- These men, one of whom had come all the way. from Canterbury, had sought to establish for themselves homes at the Waiau, and now they were to be shunted on to a block absolutely cut off from all communication. Counsel admitted that as the law stood the order would have to be made against him, but he urged that_ it should be delayed as long as possible so as to enable his clients to place the whole facts of the case before the Native Minister. The Court so far admitted the hardship of the case as to delay execution till March 29th, besides refusing expenses. It thus seems that these unfortunate natives, after being deprived of their land for more than half a century, are now being forced to submit to a most unfair compromise, and as New Zealand takes particular pride in the justice of her dealings with the natives, it would be well if full reparation were .made in this case.