“ONE RACE, ONE LAW.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 44, 20 February 1913, Page 6

“ONE RACE, ONE LAW.”

INTERESTING ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE NATIVE MINISTER. (Per Press Association.) Wanganui, February 20. The Hon. Mr Herries delivered an important speech first night at Jerusalem, on the Wanganui river, where he has been paying a visit in his capacity of Native Minister. The most striking portion of the speech was his frequent repetition of the fact that the future -policy of the Government would be “one race, one law,” and that the Government’s aim would bo Ifringf uakelia and native together in one race of New Zealanders,instead of keeping them separate. The Maoris brought a lengthy list of grievances under the Minister’s notice, and in reply thereto Mr Herries made several interesting announcements. He said he Imped shortly to be able to effect an amalgamation of the Maori Land Boards with the Native Land Court, believing that, as far as the administration was concerned this would be more satisfactory than the present system. At the same time, he wished to acknowledge the good work which, has been done by all the Land Boards. He foreshadowed legislation to enable the Natives to get titles to their lands more easily and cheaply than under the present system, thus enabling them to borrow money on, better terms for purposes of development. In reply to a request for a reduction of death duties, he indicated that there was no hope of these being reduced either in the case of Maori or pakeha. The cutting-off of cultivatable land for scenic purposes, which was a long-standing grievance, will be stopped, and only the ground unsuitable for anything else will be set aside in this way. An interesting point cropped up in connection with the desire of the Otea Maori Board’s tenants to obtain the freehold of their lease. The Maoris asked that the sales of Maori land vested in boards be prevented, and the Minister, in reply, said he would not help towards any such sales unless it were to the Boards or the Government, and he would always set his face against the compulsory sale of land except for public works. The Minister received a vote of thanks and confidence.