OUR COLONIAL PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13355, 8 December 1906, Page 6

OUR COLONIAL PROSPECTS.

Speaking at.the Wellington reception to the new Attorney-General, Sir Joseph Ward gave a forecast of our colonial pro'spects which, though optimistic, was not generally an unreasonable, one. There is every prospect, that our public Revenues will increase, and dial the present prosperity will continue through the ensuing year. But it would, wo can all agree, he greatly assisted and improved by the opening up of the Native Lands. Just how they are opened up is a secondary matter, and we may hope that now ;'Sir Joseph Ward recognises that they "cannot remain in their existing position" something definite will immediately be done. The Premier speaks of a Commission, and; we await with natural anxiety some further information. If this only means a general inquiry into what people want, as was the case with the Land Commission which the present Minister for Lands has described as "a sheer waste of time and money," then nothing good can bo said for it. We all know what we want—tin l releasing of these lands from the idleness imposed by the Government. If, on the other hand; he means an expert Commission to draft a measure by which these millions of acres can be thrown open to settlement tindery conditions fair alike to the settler and to the "handful of native owners, it may easily be a, step in the right direction. Sir Joseph, as a business man, must appreciate the effect of this unreasonable lockingup .of. fertile land upon our colonial prospects, and Mill have the solid support, of the Xorth if he makes good his promise to rectify it. Incidentally, he mentioned the Colonial Conference, and his intention to urge increased colonial support to the Royal Navy, and the stopping of the influx of Asiatics into British colonies. In these intentions he may rest assured of the unqualified support cf the ' whole colony. Our paltry contribution to the Navy is not creditable either to our prosperity or to our prospects ; and as for Asiatics, the Colonial Conference might better thrash the matter out with the Imperial Government now than wait until it flares up in some hot and bitter dispute. However else we may differ, no loyal New Zealander can do anything but denounce anything which threatens the racial integrity of this or tiny other British community, and no loyal Englishman can possibly object to this denunciation, if he once understands the case. The matter is in safe hands when we leave it to Sir Joseph Ward or to any other representative colonial statesman.