The New Zealand Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1913. RIGHTS OF THE MAORIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8481, 16 July 1913, Page 6

The New Zealand Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1913. RIGHTS OF THE MAORIS

Tho weight of disinterested public opinion will cordially endorse the senjtimont of Mr C. Parata that the Maori lis just as mnch entitled to hold the freehold of land as the white man is. This, however, is a principle of equity that tho supporters of “Reform” are not prepared to concede. One of their most popular battle-cries, in which the land monopolist and land (shark both heartily join, is that the Maori shall bo compelled to sell his Jandod estate. It is useless for the Maori owner to argue that he wishes to maintain his landed rights, in the interests of his posterity, and that he is prepared to study and pursue approved methods of cultivation. This is not satisfactory to “Reform.” That section of the party that stands for land monopoly recognises in the seizure of the native estate an effective method of temporarily satisfying the clamour for land for settlement and diverting the public attention from their own immense areas. The land speculators, who may be more correctly described as the land sharks, are anxious for free trade in Maori lands in order that jthey may scheme large speculative jprofits for themselves. Tho considerable forces of self-interest and greed |are thus allied together under the political banner of “Reform” for the despoiling of the Maori race without th< slightest concern for its ultimate welfare and destiny. It matters nothing to them that the native landed ptate is considerably reduced in area, and that a large proportion of the Maoris -are already landless, and may eventually be reduced to the deplorable condition of nomadic wanderers, without any settled place of habitation, rmd having no resources of maintenance. To justify the policy of spolia- • lion, the shibboleth is preached that 1 the Maori lands are standing in the' way of settlement, and must bo j brought into the market, which is an--other way of saying that the Maori is not entitled to the same rights of ownership aa the white man possesses. Wo are told, as tho most recent departure in "Reform'’ policy, that the Maori is to be Europeanised and placed on precisely the same footing as the white man. This, however, is a device against which tho Maori has every reason to be on his guard. If ho accepts the Europeanising policy, he ,must necessarily forfeit his rights under the Treaty of Waitangi, which has hitherto been his sheet anchor in periods of conflict between the interests (of the two races. One direction in which the designs of “ Reform” will require to be carefully watched is in connection with the West Coast leases that are presently falling in. The lands covered by these leases are in the Taranaki district, they are of a most fertile character, and they constitute a very valuable part of the estate still remaining in the hands of the natives. At the present moment, the lessees are agitating for the right to acquire these leases without the consent of the owners, when ■they fall in, and overtures have been made to tho Premier and other Ministers in this direction. It was unquestionably these leases that Mr Parata was referring to when he maintained tho right of the Maoris to preserve their freehold ownership. And the opinion of every disinterested mind must necessarily he that Mr Parata is quite right. There is reason to fear, however, that the Premier and other Ministers are prepared to promote the designs of the lessees against the interests of the natives. This was plainly manifest from what transpired at the interviews and public meetings during Mr Massey’s recent triumphal tour of the West Coast of the North Island, when so many rash promises were made to Government supporters, and when the claims of tho West Coast leaseholders were urged with a persistence that is not remarkable when we remember how much these people stand to gain by successful legislative action in their interests. There was, however, no representation of the rights of the Maoris in the matter. Is due weight to be given to these rights 'i This is a question that might fairly be put to the Hon. Dr Pomare, who holds place and draws pay in the Ministry that is encouraging these designs against the interests of his own people, but who is understood to have been taken into the Cabinet for the express purpose of representing and safeguarding the cause of the Maoris. Is Dr Pomaro iu favour of compelling the owners of these West Coast lands to

sell the freehold to the European leaseholders P If ho is, we are amazed at his want of loyalty to his own race. it is on record that Sir Maurice O’Rorke, many years ago, abandoned a Ministry in which he held office because the provincial form of government in which ho cordially believed was about to be abolished by lus colleagues. If Sir Maurice O’ltorko was prepared to sacrifice so much for principle, what will be thought of Dr Pomare if, for the sake of office and emolument, ho remains in a Ministry that is prepared to perpetrate such a gross injustice upon tho Maori race as is involved in the scheme to give to the West Coast lessees the right to demand tho freehold from the Maori owners? It may bo that Dr Pomare is prepared to countenance this indefensible wrong. Whatever he does, however, wo are satisfied that the other Maori members, as well as tho whole of the Liberal party, will resist the move with force and determination. It is possible for Mr Massey to give to Crown tenants the freehold of land belonging to tho State. It is inconceivable, however, that he can convey away to these West Coast leaseholders the right to the freeholds of land belonging to the Maoris. Even if ho "orries out the “Reform” idea of Europeanising the natives, and placing them on tho same footing as tho white people', that will not lessen hut rather strengthen their right to continue the ownership of their own lands, notwithstanding tho covetous designs of the leaseholders in tho direction of acquiring tho freeholds. There ns every reason to believe that tho few Maori members will bo called upon to make a strenuous fight in defence of tho rights of their fellow-countrymen, and, if this should happen, it will he interesting to see where the Hon. Dr Pomare is content to stand.