WHERE THE WHITE MAN TREADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12859, 6 May 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

WHERE THE WHITE MAN TREADS.

A NEW PROPOSAL.

[by vc.b., tk ktmi.]

That the disabilities which cumber the path of the Maori have reached a crisis, and that, it is insane to expect him unaided 'to ascend the higher plane which the pakeba. lias introduced into his rude and simple world, is being felt a living puke throughout the length and breadth of these islands. And not the humanitarian of our race alone : the Maori himself is devoting his higher intelligence to evolve some tangible plan, whereby his ancestral freedom may be regained, and. recognising his frailties and natural improvidence, provide some irkless restraint to check his childless'recklessness. This is no new sentiment, neither is it au obedience to the Premier's order to "bestir themselves:" it is the outgrowth of a conviction that he must go under if he neglects to assert his rights.

To collect the various scattered ideals and concentrate them into a connected workable whole some leading chiefs convened a meeting at Te Ktiiti on April 28, at which I was especially invited to be present, and which formed itself into a committee, at which the following resolutions were passed: —

1. "That the Native Land Rating Act is, considering the restrictions on its lands, au injustice to the race, and that it be at once repealed, or amended."

2. "That, considering the* Maori is improvident, and without proper restraints will denude himself of bis last acre, a council be appointed to stand rather as guardian over his welfare than an iutermcdd'ler with, his just freedom. The council, its personnel, and powers to consist of—(a) One pakehii member as president and supervisor, and six Maori members elected 'by vote from the tribes; (b) to have absolute control over and administer' all native lands in its district, remove restrictions, investigate sufficiency of reserves, make reserves, and generally safeguard the best interests of the owners, and after making inalienable reserves throw open the remainder for sale, or lease, to the highest bidder; (e) also to nil if J private negotiations if these do nob contravene the best interests of the Maori wishing to realise upon his surplus lauds, and in view of the fact that present Maori councils, because of dilatoriucss and other defects, are objects for ridicule and contempt, to in all ways expedite negotiations and make them ana the terms attractive to would-be purchasers or lessees ; (d) that the council be empowered to hold in trust all lands placed in its control for administration for p term not exceeding 42 years; (e) that not more than five per cent, be deducted front each transaction to defray costs of administration: (f) that the council be empowered to grant leases from 21 to 42 years."

5. "That after all necessary reserves for the maintenance of native owners are made all surplus lands be handed over to the council absolutely, and to be free from State or other interference." .

4. "That the cost of individualising titles and subdividing be borne by the State, as it is important to the interests of the native owners that not more than 5 per cent, be deducted from each transaction."

These are the essential clauses which, after a searching discussion, were unanimously adopted and passed; to be further submitted to a congress of all the tribes at a date to be fixed later, there to be rediscussed, added to, or amended, as to the collective wisdom of the congress may seem expedient. It is my pleasant task to record that the whole proceedings were pervaded with dignity and moderation, and where opposition ventured a counter-plea, a tolerance which we might copy, and not feel degraded. And as 1 listened, knowing his aspirations and the bitter resentment against circumscriptions, in which folly and pretence have enmeshed him, my heart ached because of the days to come, when these his humble petitions will be rejected ! For, as in small things, so in great, history repeats itself. My heart went, out to these searchers for 9 light to lighten their pathway ; and when after an ovation to me for my loyalty to the cause of their betterment custoir called upon me to reply, this glib tongue could only utter broken commonplaces, but which they applauded for the wisdom of Solon!

It was pleasant to watch the lord of many acres encourage Hie zeal of him of one, or none, when lie urged the acceptance* of what for weal or woe meant the creation of duties and responsibilities foreign to his untrained skill. .Nor when the arid voice of experience obtruded its dreary wisdom, or the pessimist predicted storm and shipwreck, did these trustful explorers into uncharted seas lose heart of hope. As one said : '" We have conio to the river; the canoe lies ai the bank; is it up stream or down, or merely to the other shore? Say, brothers, which is it to be?" Where all spoke so well it would bo a. sin to single out high eloquence from homely metaphor. Compare the simile above to the cynic who ridiculed divided aim as " the absurdity of two men in one pair of trousers!" Or the disillusioned poor of faith in Primia and Tinii Kara promises, when he merely thrust his thumb between two lingers and protruded his tongue for answer.

That the leaders were in earnest was manifest apart from the. high tone of the meeting, and when one or two agitators for absolute individual control raised dissentient murmurs the prompt reply of Pepeue, the principal promoter and spokesman, left no residue of haziness: "I am a Land Court lawyer. It is my business to have clients with land to disjtoso of. Do you think that my commission on their handling is left to chance? And if you cavillers had land for sale would I be content with a few paltry acres? Would I not urge and persuade, ' Sell!' ' Sell!' until you were landless, that my commission be augmented? Answer nic that! If I voluntarily thwart my business prospects is this not proof that our race's need i.s great Should this our humble petition be passed into law my occupation is gone; judge then if what I place before you now for a last resource is exorbitant."

Prominently on the chairman's table, that nil might consult or refer to it, lay tho Treaty of Wuitangi, displaying it's columns of signatures, written by hands long rendered into dust. Some names famous as warriors; here, " Xeme X" (his mark), yonder v. quavery tattoo design, further down a fancy 'involute, to the casual observer all meaningless, but to the Maori of today a sacred script—the indent of his fathers' legacy; his Magna Charta; now mere waste paper, manaless, until the pakelia, profane*- require it to bolster up his sovereign! The scheme is no common Primia experiment; it is a careful purview of tke status and prospects of the Maori to-day. In it he essays to arrest his decay, and assist him to the standard which he would, but because of restrictions, poverty, and neglect lie cannot, attain unto. '.Personally I see great benefits perdu iu the plait, and, provided other accessories are favourable', and difficulties which will present themselves are overcome, which I will describe in a future article, jt, is worthy of entertaining. And not for this only, but also because of tho respect duo to 'travail and its cry for relief. It is to be preseuted to the ensuing Parliament iu the form of a petition. "Who is to present it?" "Pere?'' "Parata?" - IIeke?" "Kaihan?" " Timi Kara'.'" A pakeha member! Consider, ye faithful to exploded fallacies! What other proof is" needed that- the old order asks for a respite? We are burdened with an efficiency which never existed, and again f say, "These be your cods oh' Israel!" .