The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY) SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1880.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 5941, 17 April 1880, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY) SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1880.

The report re Waimate Plains, under the hands of the Commissioners, Sir ■William Fox and SirFKANCis Dillon Bell, which we this day publish, while containing matter, for serious reflection also conveys the very satisfactory assurance that there is a way of solving the long enduring native difficulty; without stultifying the supremacy of the European race or disregarding the just claims of the natives. The report anticipates the general report on the native difficulty on the West Coast, but it embodies and deals with the most momentous questions submitted to the Commission for consideration. The Question of the Plains, and the Question of the Parihaka, are matters that the people of the colony fervently desire to see speedily and permanently adjusted, and they will concur in the conviction declared by the Commissioners, that to do so “ is an immediate and imperative necessity, and that it has to be done by the almost unaided exercise of the Crown’s authority.” As the Commissioners assert, our steadiest friends among the tribes have become so disheartened by the alternate display of rashness and pusillanimity that they afraid to tell what they wish, or even to point out the land that ought to be reserved for them, and say that the decision must be left in the Governor’s hands. Upon this decision everything rests, and , the entire subject narrows down to a question of reserves. Promises, expressed or implied, of made in mere general terms, that the natives should be allowed to retain settlements, fishing stations, burial places, and cultivations, and that “ large reserves ” would be made for them, though no steps have ever been taken to let them know what was to be theirs, must now be fulfilled ; and, further, of paramount importance, in the opinion of the Commissioners, is the question of reserving villages and clearings in the forest. All mystery and reticence must be abandoned, and the subject, dealt with in prompt and" businesslike fashion, and no difficulty in doing this is anticipated. As r the Commissioners put it, “If the influence ■ of Te Whiti,, which, has always been exercised against war, proves equal to the strain of roadmaking and reserve-surveying at the same time, his Excellency’s decision about the reserves will be accepted by the resident natives, and their acquiescence will most likely prevent resistance on the part /of others afterwards.” In considering the necessary extent of reserves to be proclaimed on the plains, the Commissioners have recommended liberal concessions, subject to restrictions against any dealings with the reserves, except occupation by resident natives, until the tribal- ownership of the several hapus has been ascertained, and regulations made under which dealings can take place without danger. It is, moreover, Suggested., that the whole of the land in the reserve between the Oeo and Waingongoro river, shall not bo at once given to the natives, but provision made for its future settlement, its opening first by broad clearings, and ultimately by roads and railway. In a word, the natives will be permitted to have and to . hold the reserve to the full extent of legitimate requirements and privileges, but will not be permitted to squander their estate, or keep it as a wild fastness, obstructing European settlers in strategical command of the country occupied. In dealing with the Question of Parihaka, the Commissioners unceremoniously, and yet very necessarily, demolish an air built castle. It has been a popular idea that the Parihaka territory comprised a vast area of valuable land, well worth even fighting for, because it would some day bring money to the Treasury. The idea has been a fallacy, and is now exploded. " Whatever may have been the origin of the idea, or the impelling motive that has fostered it, the darkness will now be dispelled. The Commissioners show that after providing for the just claims of the natives, claims which we believe there has never been any desire on the part of the colony to ignore, the land available for settlement will be reduced to an altogether insignificant amount. As the Commissioners tersely put it, “The people {i.e., the natives) are there, and they must have land to live upon; and, what is more, being there, they certainly:will not go away. The sooner everyone makes up his mind to that the bettor, and the

sooner everyone makes up his mind that any idea of appreciably replacing out of Paribaka land the vast expenditure going on is illusofy, the better too.” Our army of occupation is an expensive drain on the public purse, which will not bo recouped to the present generation, except in indirect results, and all good colonists will hail with satisfaction any assurance of ihe cost being soon diminished. The report would not be complete without some expression of opinion as to the influence of Te Whiti. The Commissioners arc fain to admit that such influence is wide spread, and that there is no use in ignoring the continuing force of the delusions which lead his followers to place implicit belief in his assertion of divine authority and prophetic vision. They show, moreover, that the natives on the Plains and at Parihaka must be dealt with alike, the doubts and mistrust now pervading the minds of the JNTgatiruanuis and the Taranakis must be simultaneously dispelled, and that unless matters affecting them are decided together, ‘‘the Government may keep up a great force for years, and yet be unable to place settlers in quiet upon the land.” This above dll things the people of the colony are anxious to avoid. We need not here enter into details of reserves and concessions proposed to be made; as reference to the report itself will show them. We understand that the Government fully approve of the report, and so far concur in the suggestions made, that they have already—as will be understood from recent telegrams—authorised Mr. Parris to go on the ground and commence the necessary surveys, to give effect to the proposals as soon as possible after they are formally agreed to. • When the House meets, it may be presumed the Government will be prepared to initiate any legislation necessary to give full effect to the settlement of the matter.