Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6143, 15 August 1891, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING.

GLSBORNE, SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1391. THE NATIVE" LAND BILL. Tiie prospect of the Government dropping the Native Land Bill is viewed with groat alarm in this district. The opinion of almost everybody here acquainted with the subject is that Mr Cadman's proposals aro the best that have yet been submitted to the Legislature. We have endeavored to ascertain the views of men of long practical experience, and who for years have closely studied every aspect of the question, and we have not. found one who has not- spoken highly of the measure. Exports, who are philo-Maoris, aro agreed that the Bill is one which would bo highly conducive to the welfare of the Native race, while oxperts, who are mainly influenced by settlement considerations, are of opinion that the proposals arc of a most practicable nature^ »»«1 «.»©.aorfcarrr to result in thtf occupation of extensive territories now lying waste, whilst at the same time ample provision is made to safeguard the rights of the Maori owners. Men are agreed on the Ministerial Bill who nover'agreed on any previous proposals dealing with the same important subject. The means have been devised for solving a difficulty which has existed since the foundation of the colony, and if the work of the present session consisted only in effecting tho Native legislation proposed fby |Mr Cud man more good would result to the country generally than has been accomplished by all the measures passed during the last dozen years. The North Island has made remarkable progress in recenfe times, owing to tho opening up of fresh country for settlement. The room for further extension is exceedingly limited unless the large territories in Native hands bo rendered available for occupation. There are signs in all directions that tho Maoris will be prepared to deal with their lands under a workable and just law. The spirit of sullen isolation has given way before the progress of events ; but the Nativo land laws remain a dead letter. These laws were always defective ; but now they are not only defective, bub also completely behind the times. The Legislature has always been well-intentioned in treating matters affecting the Natives, but the timorousuesK, with the resultant feebleness in action, has proved n feai-ful curse to the very people whose interests were sought to be protected. The Native land laws were complicated and unworkable, and both Europeans and Maoris were kept in a constant state of perplexity. The lands have been virtually confiscated through the heavy law expenses, becauso finality was scarcely attainable. Ruin in many cases overtook both sides to the transactions, whilst the lands in dispute remained in a waste state. It would be impossible to conceive of a worse state of things than has been brought about through the want of an intelligible policy in Native matters. The Land Courts wore powerless to give a title, and appeals to the Supremo Court added to the cost of tho suits without advancing matters one whit. Nobody understood the law, or professed to understand the law. Tho whole business was groping in the dark. The Bill now before Parliament, though it might be considerably curtailed, is quite underctandable, and the basis is equity and good conscience. No measure which aimed at) anything elso would hnve a chance of passing the Legislature. The traditions of Parliament aro well preserved in that respect Let us hope that tho traditional blundering will not be continued, and thab the Government will firmly persist that Native affairs must be lif-ted out of tho slough of despond. Mr Ballance has now an opportunity of using his largo majority for a most excellent purpose. His Government is strong enough to dispenso with tho votes of fche four Maori members. At the first glanoe, ib may appear that a measure opposed by the representatives of tho Natives must contain provisions inimical to the interests of the rac2. But what has been the experience of the past. Various Governments have shaped their Bills largely in accordance with the whims and foara of representative Maoris, with the result that no good has accrued to anybody, whilst the progress of this island has been retarded. There is afe the bottom of the Native character, a sentiment against dealing with the land at all. They would like to get a revenue from their heritage whilst retaining the full ancesral grip. But neither time nor scheming will render such a thing possible. Tho best thing that could happen for the Natives would bo the turning the land to profitablo account, and that soon. The taxmaster will shortly lay his hands on Maori estates. The European settlers will not much longer put up with tho present state of tilings. There aro some JSalives

i»'-UWWnI.JI!< I'l'l.liUKJil*'! |l PWP III" M Wi'llll 11* ' ' Tow— *— - — -~«> intelligent; enough to read aright the signs of the times. They see plainly that Native holdings musfe be taxed, and unless the lands pass into European occupation, I taxation will mean confiscation. Despite the sentiment the Maoris have against dealing with the lands, their interests will induce them to do so. Ii: they are wise f they will accept Mr Cadman's Bill. They ( are not all likely to get a better one. Aa the Premier told a number of Natives yes- ( fcerday, the Maoris have never been able < fco agree to any legislation affecting their ( lands. To wait for Native agreement on r the subject would be to delay intermin- ] ably the settlement of a question which , the interests of the country press for a | solution. The Government have framed , a workable, just, and statesmanlike mea- j sure, which, if placed upon the statute | book, will confer great benefit upon the f Natives, and promote the prosperity of the colony. ' I ■OBMMMMMMHHHBM 11l 111 l -« I

An interesting test of Mr Smaill's vehicle .itfc.u hmout was made this afternoon, and w.is a complete success, the hor.e being freed lud running clear of the buggy on each ■ occasion the test was made, • The Native Land Court, presided over by Judge Scannell, yesterday concluded the subdivision of Whangawehi No 1, a block of land in the occupation of Mr Ormotid at the I Mania. The Court is now engaged on Jinothor Mahia block, MoutereNol. Messrs Weir and Sellar to-day complete their contract for the construction of the Kaiteratahi bridge, but the bridge will not be open for traffic until the end of the week owing to the approach oa the far side from town not being finished, A very successful meeting of the Holy Trinity Church Band of Hope was held ia the schoolroom lasfc evening. Canon Fox presided. There 1 was a good attendance of children, and the following programme wa3 rendered : -Recitation, Masler George Humphreys ; pianoforte solo Miss Kerr ; address by Secretary ; address by Canon Fox ; addresß by xMr Wilson : recitation, Miss Lottie Humphreys ; pianoforte a jJo, Canon Fox ; pianoforte solo, Miss Kerr. The evening was brought to a close by the benediction. Ifivo more children enrolled themselves as members, making now 33 in all. The next meeting takes place on Friday, 28th inst., at 7 p.m. The social in aid of the Garrison Band fund last nit'ht was a financial success, leaving a proGt of about Ll2. There w- re botwecn 60 and 70 couples present, and everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Messrs R, Johnstono and C. F. Lewis acted as M.C.'s and Messrs Colebourne, Miller, Primrose, DeCosta, find Milno ably assisted as commifcteemen. Father Kehoe and Messrs Mitchell and Scarle rendered songs in their usual brilliant style during the evening, and were loudly applauded. Timaru people are wondering why the -lib loaf should be 8d there, and 5d in other (iistricts supplied with Timaru flour. A pair of boxing gloves hive been forwarded to Wellington from Duiißdin by the admirers of an M.H.R. who recently figured in a fracas in the lobbies. No fewer than ihirty-four licensed houses in this colony were closed at the end of the quarter ended June 30 by various licensing committees. The fractions of totalisator dividends in South Australia go to the local charities, At ,i recent' Adelaide meeting about £190 went to the charities from thi3 source. Extract from a debate in the New South Wales Assembly : " There is not a member in this house but what cannot say that I have always stuck to my principles." An unemployed deputation w.s refused an audience by the Premier of Victoria recently. Mr Munro stated that he was firmly dctoi mined to hear no more of their tales. 1 he number of sheep exporled from Auckand district during the past year was as follows :— Frozen, 11,236; shipped fco the South Sea Islands, 1547. The following is an extract from a private Setter from an old Dunedinite, received from Sydney -.—What are you all doing in New Ko«l«nrl --?--- People- tvru ooming over nere in ship-loads. You will soon have none left. Can you not do something to keep them where they are ? They can do nothing over here but borrow half-crowns !" At ft meeting of the master butchers of Christchurch and suburbs, held to consider Mr fiees's Slaughterhouse Bill, it was unanimously decided to petition the House against it becoming law on the ground that it is unnecessarily arbitrary, and will involve heavy expense, and is at present quite uncalled for. At a meeting of the Otago Institute a paper was read by Mr J. Richardson on the disappearance of native birds on the West Coast of Otago, referring more particularly to the kakapo and kiwi. He mainly attributed is to the ferrots. With this opinion, Sir W. liuller, who was present, did not altogether agree. He thought other causes were in operation, and instanced the rat, which he thought Wits the chief one, and pointed out that the birds were disappearing before ferrets were introduced. The general opinion wa3 that preserves should be established on outlying islands. The schoolmaster at Rata, near Hunterville, in spe iking of the Maori children who attend the Rata school, remarked tint they are the most regular in attendance of any at the school, and are amongst the most apt and diligent of his scholars. It is certainly deserving to mention (says the local paper) that, when the parents of these children were staying 'at Marton, attending the Land Court the children persisted in remaining behind, so as to continue at school, and all this, notwithstanding that they had to cook and prepare their own food. Every one who moves about hears of or knows the' genial Carey, now c unmander of the Monowai. Ho brought out from America the divine Sara Bernhardt. She admired his cherry, rubicund face ; who does not ? Tho farewell scene was very touching. He advanced to bid her au rrvoir. She came forward to meet him, and, according to the custom of her country, presented her right cheek for salutation, The old man was a bit nonplussed at first, but his experience, added to his presence of mind, soon enabled him to take in the position, and he throw both his arms round her, »nd saluted both cheeks before tho astonished artiste could recover her position. As the audience was a largo one, there were loud calls for an encore, but Sara did not Carey for any more. She says she will not trust those sailor men any more— they too free !— Auckland Star. A p-culiar case is reported from the Thames, where a young man named Neare was fined yesterday for assaulting his father and resisting the police, but the circumstances were Buch that the Magistrate did not feel called upon to bind the defendant over in any way. The lad on one occasion iotely in handing over to his mother h s fortnight's pay of 36s kept back 4s, an unusual thing with him, and hi* father to punish him hid away his good clothes so that the youth could not go out on the Sunday evening. Thereupon tho lad who neither drinks nor smokes, threatened to break open his Bi3ter'a grave, and burn his father's houcs, and generally ' raise Cain.' The father who ' takes a drop' then went for a constable who, however, found the young man asleep in bed on Saturday evening, and it was then vhen the lad was awakened that the so-called assault was committed on the father, and resistance was offered to the police. Referring to tho Native Land Bill, the Wellington Press states :— Tho Bill provides that the Government may proclaim thab they intond to negotiate for a certain block. If an enemy of tho Government desires to purohase any particular block, all they have to do is fco proclaim their intention feo purchase it, and he is forthwith shut out. Bub the Bill also provides thab the proclamation may be removed at any time. Well, a friend of the Government comes along and says, " I want to buy thab block, and you ought to withdraw your proclamation in regard to it." Is it nob quite probable thafc the proclamation would be removed, and that the friend of the Government would, as the price of his political suppart, if for no more substantial consideration, be enabled to purchase the land on terms exceedingly advantageous to himself 1 This clause seems to throw the door wide open to wholesale political corruption,