Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1890.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5928, 24 November 1890, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1890.

TAXATION OF NATIVE LANDS. The amount of revenue which would be derived from the taxation of Native lands is not nearly so important a consideration as the forcing of these lands into occupation, which would undoubtedly result if they were subject to the same burdens as imposed upon the estates of Europeans. Still the present exemption is directly a grievous matter to local bodies in the position of the Cook County Council. But it may be regarded as pertain that np_ important chunge bfpoiicy in this matter would be made for the mere sake of conferring more revenue upon the local bodies interested. The indirect advantage which would be secured furnishes the most powerful argument for placing both races on tho same footing with regard to taxation. It may be here remarked that most of the North Island candidates who have alluded to the subject advocate the imposition of looal rates on Native lands. Some were more decided in their views than others. Captain Russell and Mr Arthur spoke with no uncertain sound, and the same may be said with regard to Mr Mitchelson. However, the acting-Premier said he did not think that the reform could be accomplished immediately, though the question will shortly have to be faced. He stated that a great number of settlers in the country districts were continually petitioning the Government that tho time had arrived when Native lands should be taxed the same as European lands, but that the Ministry could not see its way to introduce such legislation. The Government had come to the' conclusion thafe if Native lands were taxed at the present time it would practically moan confiscation and starvation of the Maoris, who have not the means of paying taxes. The amount would have to be charged against the land, and the taxation would ultimately mop. up its full value. But Mr Mitchelson significantly added that the Maoris will shortly have to consider this question, because it is one that cannot much longer be delayed. " Whether they would allow thoiv lands to bo tnxod, or in their own interests, sot apart large reserves suitable for the occupation and maintenance of the tribes, and hand ovor the balance to the Crown in such a way as will keep them from want." There is nothing savouring of confiscation about the foregoing proposal, and it is simplicity itself. The meaning is that, after setting apart sufficient areas for the Maoris for their own uso and occupation, the State should become tho trustee for the balance of the land, and shall pay the revenue arising therefrom to the original owners. The intention, no doubt, is to let the land under the perpetual lease system. Nobody hhs any idea of tho Government making a halfpenny out of Native land transactions. The great object is to get tho waste lands of the North Island settled, and this cm bo more speedily accomplished, and at the same time with perfect justice to the Natives, under the plan proposed by Mr Mitchelj son than in any other way. The Native ! Minister gave his hearers to understaud that on this subject he spoke as the mouthpiece of the Government, and was not merely giving expression to his own views. It may be urged in objection that the adoption of this system would be tantamount to the establishment of Maori landlordism over a considerable portion of this island, with the State as a buffer between landlord and tenant. But we see no forco whatever in the argument. The European occupant would have security of tenure, in fact, he would be in the same position as an occupior under the perpetual lease system, with probably the exception that there would be no right of purchase. Both Sir Harry Atkinson and the Minister of Lands have told us that although the perpetual lease system has been iv operation for years, and a large siroa of land occupied under it, only a very trifling number of tenants had availed themselves of the right of obtaining the freehold. Indeed, Mr Richardson, who was strongly opposed to tho perpetual lease system at the outset, stated that in his opinion there was little likelihood of any considerable number of leaseholders buying the freehold outright for a period of twenty-eight years. The rents which would be paid to the Maoris would be spent in the country. Jt might be onacted that the rents could be capitalized by agreement between the Native owners and the Government, and in this way tho land would become the property of the Crown'; indeed, there are excellent grounds fov believing that a proviso of that kind would be pretty freely Uken ad. vantage of.

Failing the adoption of Mr Mitchelson 's plan for the settlement of the waste lands of this island, the compulsory individualiztttion of title, fas advocated by Mr Arthur, would be the best way of overcoming the difficulty. Sir Harry Atkinson in the session before last expressed nearly the same views. But it is evident from Mr Mitchelson's speech to the electors of Eden the other day, that Ministers have modified their views of late on this important subject. Most of the Native lands are at present inaccessible. To fife them for occupation a large expenditure will have to be undertaken in road-making. The local bodies have not the funds to carry out the work, and they would not do it if they had, that ia if they were obliged to raise the money by local rating. Suppose a block of inaccessible Native land of fifty thousand acres was held by fifty owners, whose titles were individualized, a man with a few hundred or even a few thousand pounds capital would think twice before touching the land at all. In the first place, he would have to employ Native agents, a class to be avoided, and in the second, if he did make the purchase, he might not be able to get upon the land. If only the question of taxation had to be taken into consideration, individualization of title, of course, would' be one of the first things necessary, and taxation would in time no doubt, lead to the utilization of the soil. But more rapid and more satisfactory settlement; would take place if the land were placed under the control of the Government, for that would ensure the roading of the lands, and thus render them fit for settlement in moderately-sized areas.

The brethren of the Turangauni Masonic Lodge meet to-night, when the election of W.M. and officers takes place. Each evening of th»ir performance the band of the Faust Family furnishes a delightful concert outside the Theatre doors. This evening the programme will comprise the following items : — March, " Excelsior, " Rich; selection, "Bohemian Girl," Balfe ; aolo, " Bombardon Polka," Mehden The open air performance commences at 7. 15. Afc the Canterbury Agrieub ural and Pastoral Society's show held this month, Messrs vV. B Common and Co. obtained a silver medal for their collection of agricultural and garden Beeds, both imported and locally grown The New Zealand Lorn and Mercantile Agency Company have received the following London market cablegram, dated November 22ud :— Frozen meat : Mutton market is quiet ; price of mutton has declined £d p-r lb since last report. Tallow : There is rather better demand ; quotations unchanged since last telegram, At the Big river a man met with a serious accident the other day. He threw a handful of paper into a fire, being unaware that the paper contained a quantity of dynamite. A great explosion occurred, and the man was fearfully wounded. Dr Innes attended to the wounds, and the man is now progressing favorably. Mr A. C. Arthur addressed a large meeting of electors at Ormond on Saturday evening. Mr A, Kempthorne was in the chair The address was an able one, being exceedingly temperate in tone, and it was listened to with much attention. At the close Mr A M. Newman proposed a vote of thanks and confidence, which was seconded by Mr Me Keuzie and car ied without dissent. Messrs Da vies, Akroyd and Porter on Saturday sold the privileges for the Hospital Sports, the following prices being obtained : — Lawn publican's booth £3, Fergusson ; refreshment booth and dining room £5, Erskine ; grandstand dining room £2, Craig ; right to take charge of horses £2 10s, Miller j right of cards 15s, C. Lewis } right of sports 6s, J. Bailey. Yesterday afternoon at one o'clock a lad named Cuulton met. with an accidenc by which his leg was broken. He was riding one horse and leading another, when the jLnimal_on-whiclT--+re--wa^rTntraTrtߣr^e^aTn^ fractious, reared, and fell on him. The break is not a b d one. The ringing of the firebell. last evening disturbed the services at moat of the churches. At Holy Trinity Churoh the Bishop of Waiapu was in the middle of his sermon when the alarm pealed out, and His j Lordship had to curtail his remarks and as the audience nearly all left the church pronounced the Benediction. At the Wesleyan Churoh Dr. Warren had preached a most impressive sermon and was about to commence a prayer when the bell startled all. The church was piokecl with people and it ia fortunate no one was hurt for there was only one narrow exit from the building down a steep stairway. The Salvation Army barracks were rapidly emptied, but at the Presbyterian Church not a sound of any bell was heard, although the upper firebell is situated close to tho church. The service conducted by the Rev, Mr Rybnrn was for tunately uninterrupted. The bell was not heard at the Roman Catholic Church. People got their service last evening without a collection, though one church member after the excitement of the 'tlarm was over collected several shillings in offerings by going round with a hat. It has been remarked that the occurrence w&s a scheme put into execution by old Satan to frustrate the work of the churches, his highness having an earthly abode in the retorts of the gas works.