JUSTICE TO THE LIVING AND DEAD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 7776, 7 May 1886, Page 3

JUSTICE TO THE LIVING AND DEAD.

TO CBK EDITOU OF THE NHW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib,—A few days ago Colonel: Roberta unveiled a monument erected at Manaia to tho memory of thoae who fell in defence of law and ofder, and in part of hia apeeCh aaldi “ He ahotlld be neglecting the duty Which lay upon him to show honor to his dead comrades, if he did not aay a few words expressive of his admiration of the devoted conduct of the brave men whose names were there recorded.** And theta stands the monument ns a memorial that they ate not forgotten. And now for the lining. I Um ohly ode out of about 7*o who show that they afe entitled to land promised to them by. the Goverhment, and bedausa they did not put in their claims at a certain date they are told they have lost all claim. Never did I think when I saw men following the Maoris for days, half-starved, wet, weary, in the wild bush, the wet ground to lie on, and often helped to bury them, that men who served .theii* Colhitty So faithfully uroUld be treated : by & . stateful Government by pUtlitig cibataoles in the way bf, thein getting .what they were entitled to, and illegally deprived of. There is yet time to rectify the evil. Surely at the next meeting of the Assembly they will take into consideration the report made by the last Commission, viz., “But we think that the Legislature should be invited to reconsider the matter, rind if. practicable, restore their rights to all thdije nien entailed before the 31st dotober, 1876, who ritihsecjUently by continuods, service, completed their five years ris efficient Volunteers.” Then it goes on to state that should the grants be given in what way it should he given, &o.” By doing justice to the living, it would only be a small coat to the country, especially as large quantities of land have been given away for nothing only because people paid their own passages to New Zealand. Sir, I appeal to you, yoUr readers, and tho Government, to help forward these few remarks which I feel will be recognised as Just by all who value Justice.—T am, &0., E. Stidoiph. Wellington, May 4, 1886.