THE REVOLT OF THE MAORI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2630, 10 August 1904, Page 77

THE REVOLT OF THE MAORI.

PROTEST AGAINST THE LAND LAWS. A P3BEA FOR EQUALITY. (Fbom Ottb Own Corhesfohdent.) WELLINGTON, August 2. The first of a series of petitions from Maoris A7as presented to the House of Representatives to-day by Mr Lang, member for Waikato. The petition sets out that, by the Treaty of Waita'ngi, the Maoris had oonferred upon them all the rights and privileges of the European subjects of Great Britain; that, jmder the land Uavs in force, the Maoris did not enjoy the same " rights and privileges as Europeans ; and that the evidence given before the Natrve Affairs Committee last session clearly showed th© AVTong action of tho Government and its land purchase officers, inasmuch as by by their own agreements Avith Europeans the Maoris would receive a very sufficient competency and many other benefits, inasmuch as they would receiA'e for the timber alone from £3 to £4 per acre and the lands returned to them, Avh&reas the Government price was from 2s 6d to 3s per acre, including the timber. Further, the petitioners say the acts now in force, including " The Maori Land Administration Act, 1900," th© Native Land Court Acts, and ail. other acts affecting Maori lands, together with the carrying out thereof, are very oppressive, are very ■wrong, absolutely trample on the Maoris, and entirely -take away from them the benefits confei'red by the Treaty of Waitangi; anii the policy administered at the present - time is retarding, th© progress of • the colony. Then comes the prayer of th© petition, to the following effect:— (l) That all restrictions on Maori lands should be removed. (2) That Maoris should have full power to lease' or otherwise dispose of their lands lying Avaste, but that the restrictions on the papakangas and on th© lands set apart for th© occupation and maintenance of Maoris be retained. (3) That ■Europeans from England be sent for and appointed commissioners or judges to adjudicate on and individualise Maori lands, and to define th© relative interests of each individual, ' but that no charge be made on the owners for the commissioner tor for th© titles. (4-) That the said commissioners or judges be empowered to inves-lis-ate and definitely settle all disputes connected with Maori land. (5) That all titles to Native land be registered in the sanie manner as titles to European land. That all oppressive dealings and those provocative of trouble now practised when *he titles to Maori lands are being investigated end subdivided should be entirely abolished, and the practice of first sending an application to Ministers for authority to survey

Maori lands or to sell the same should be entirely abolished. That full power b© granted to Maoris to dispose of their lands as they Avish, but that safeguards be provided protecting the Maoris, lest their lands be acquired by theft or fraud, and also lest they might dispose of all their lands and so leave themselves in a landless condition.