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New Zealand Mail, Issue 422, 13 March 1880, Page 24

Judging by the reports of its proceedings, which we have published in our last two issues, the Native Commission appears to be doing good work, if only in removing some of the many misconceptions which cloud the native mind relative to the action of the Government with regard to confiscated land and reserves set apart for friendly natives. Reports, the most false and misleading, have been deliberately promulgated, for the furtherance of certain political ends, concerning tribal lands, and we are convinced that much of the existing native discontent is due to such reports. The natives have been persuaded that the Government have wilfully and wantonly broken faith with them. We do not mean to say that every promise has been kept, or that the Native Departments of successive Administrations have been immaculate. On the contrary, we, with the Colonial Press generally, have had occasion to exclaim against the mysterious working of that same department. " Heathen Chinee" doings have, unhappily, been too frequently conspicuous iu it. Still, all the fault has not lam there. Outside influences, the most malignant, have been at work to complicate 0 matters and widen the breach between white man and Maori for the sake of greed of gain, and as we mentioned above, for political ends. However, we hope, and sincerely believe, that all this is drawing to a conclusion, and that the Commission will pave the way for satisfying all just native claims, and promoting the fulfilment of long-delayed Government promises. The tone of the report we publish to-day from Waitara is eminently satisfactory, albeit we are somewhat in the dark respecting the dispute over the Tekorangi block, which, in common with other confiscated lands, was, we imagined, fairly disposed of at the time. This block was once in the ISative Lands Court for settlement, and, if we remember rightly,—but on this point we are not quite positive —it was withdrawn and dealt with in direct manner by the Government with the natives. That such an injustice had been perpetrated in connection with it as to warrant the expression "barefaced robbery,'' uttered by Sir D. Bell, was certainly hidden from the public ken. It must, however, have been known to individuals, or else how is it Mr. Parris was competent

to give a decided opinion on the subject 1 Evidently there is something mysterious in the transaction demanding investigation, and we hope the Commission will lay it bare without the slightest compunction. Moreover, now there has been so much said about it, it will be the duty of the Government to push enquiries in other directions. It might be worth while to rummage the mysterious records of the Native Office : who can teh what their dark depths contain? Relative to this affair, the beneficial action of the Commission is very apparent, and ought to go a long way towards removing native doubts of the sincerity of the Government. The straightforward speech of Sir W. Fox should also tell with effect, for he distinctly pledged the Government to dispense ample and even-handed justice, and the record of that pledge can never be obliterated. Taking them altogether we think native affairs wear a hopeful aspect. The point at which a crisis might be expected is nearly approached. For the first time the land of the Taranaki tribe is being trenched upon, and if that is tolerated the depth and width of native discontent has been probed, and all will be well.