THE COLONIST. Poblished Daily—Morning. Nelson, Friday, Jan. 25, 1907. THE NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

Colonist, Volume XLVIX, Issue 11843, 25 January 1907, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Poblished Daily— Morning. Nelson, Friday, Jan. 25, 1907. THE NATIVE LAND COM MI SSION.

Speaking at Dunedin last week the Premier devoted some attention to (the Native land problem. He said that for some time past, as they were aware, the question of how best to deal with the Native lands of this country had [been exercising the attention of the Government, and he pointed out that the solution of the problem meant adding- to the general prosperity of the Colony by giving it an increased producing power, as well as an increased means of employment. He mentioned that already two members of the Commission which it had been resolved to set up had been appointed — Sir Robert Stout, the Chief Justice, and Mr Ngata—and the appointment of another member would be considered on his return to Wellington. Mr Ngata, he said, is a member of Parliament, a man cf the highest educational attainments, a Bachelor of Laws, a barrister of the Supreme Courk, and one of the most brilliant Maoris who have passed through Te Aute College, in addition to which he is passionately attached to his race. The Commission is to enquire and report : — 1. What area of Native lands there are which are unoccupied, or not profitably ocoupied, the owners thereof, and if, in your opinion necessary,the nature of such owner's titles, and the interests affecting the same. 2. How such lands can best be utilised and settled in the interests of the Native owners and the pubilc good. 3. What area, if any, of such lands could or should be set apart— (a) for the individual occupation of the Native owners, and for purposes of cultivation and farming; (b) as communal lands for the purposes of the Native 'owners as a body, tribe, or village; (c)i for future occupation by the descendants or successors of the Native owners, and how such land can, in the meantime, be properly and profitably used: (d) for settlement by other Natives than the Native owners, and on what terms and conditions, and by what modes of disposition ; (c) for settlement by Europeans, on what terms and conditions, by what modes or disposition, in what areas' and with what safeguards to prevent the subsequent aggregation of such areas in European} hands. And, further, to report as to. 4. How the existing institutions established amongst Natives and the existing system of dealing with Native lands can best be utilised or adapted for the purposes'aforesaid, and to what extent or in what manner they should be modified. The Commission is given the fullest scope in the matter of enquiry, and is required to transmit to the Governor, with all diligence, its, repqrts and recommendations from time to time in respect of any considerable blocks or areas of Native land, and to transmit its first report not later than the 15th July next, and its final report not later than the Ist Januar , 1909, oi such extended dates as may be fixed by the Governor, and in particular, to furnish in such reports such details as to the lands available for European settlement as will enable Parliament, if it deems fit, to give immediate legislative effect to such parts of the reports. The Premier said that the problem could only be solved by a vigorous handling of business principles. He said that suppose in Hawke's Bay, Auckland, or Taranaki there was a block of 200,000 acres of good land,

necessarily individualised, the Coin-: mission would proceed somewhat on j the following lines: — 1. Ascertain j the "requirements of the tribe or ] hapu— say, twenty-five thousand '. acres; 2. ascertain the area, if any, ■ reasonably rp^uirßd In addition to ( the twenty-five thousand acres for descendants— say ten thousand acres ; i 3. ascertain what area should should be set naide ns a common of reserve — say five thousand acres; and 4. ascertain what, if any, area is required for landless Natives — say, five thousand acres. That was forty-five thousand acres in all, leaving one hundred and fifty-five thousand acres out of the blocK available for European settlement. Now the Commission would, require to decide how the""len thousand acres for descendants and the five thousand acres for landless Natives should be dealt with. The areas should Jn any case be inalienable. This form of tenure for the areas would be considered and recommended by the Commission. Then the question of dealing with the one hundred and fifty-five ; thousand acres available for European settlement should be taken in! hand to determine— (1) ThQ tSrin; (2) the area* \&) Bale or le£j£' anc j .(i) safeguard, against subsequent aggregation. Then, when this had been done, the Commission would report upon that block, With details sufficient to enable Parliament to give immediate effect to* it; Delay would thus be prevente'dj and,; he though tj a practical solution effected. There was abundant, land on which ; the Cqmmi^ion could operate* th's I title of which had been ascertained. As regards the land for which the title had not been ascertained, the Native Land Court could go on expeditiously ascertaining it, As the Nativeß were opposed to the Public Trustee investing any portion of the proceeds from their lands there was no reason why the Native Boards already constituted should not He , made use oS far thS purpose of dealing with these proceeds, either from rents or from sales. In order to expedite the work of the Native Department two more Judges of the Native Land Court had been appointed^. ■ In coniiebtiou with the Premier's announcement a representative of the V'Lyttelton Times" waited on Mr Gregor McGregor at the Maori Pa at the Exhibition, and asked for an . expression of opinion, Mr McGregor , having spent most of his. days '■ amongst the Maoris. In reply td 1 enquiries, Mr McCJr&gor Said he did hot regard the Native land question as a subject of primary importance, and Said tjje Maoristhem^elv'eß Hiu&t ; be deaH with fii'Bt— they must be led to a higher standard of life. He acknowledged that many Maoris . were good at agricultural pursuits, i and became experts on thu farms, but said if all the Native lands were ' leased to-day many Maoris would become wealthy people^ and that would not be for the bttnfcfit nf the race generally | ho t'elt it would do them liarm. It was not increased revenue, speaking broudJy, he said* that Would be o? lasting benefit to the race, but something that would induce them to work. Work, to his mind, was their only salvation; that, and total prohibition. They wero more temperate now than they wore in years gone by, but still the young t men, in very many cases, congregated round the hotels, and spent most of their time and a great deal of cheir money therß. He concluded by saying: "I want it understood that it is work, and work alone, that will save the race from extinction." It appears to us that by preparing the way for settlers to occupy land adjacent to the Maoris, by relieving those who have now more land than % they know what to do with, and investing the proceeds from such excess for their benefit, while providing land for such Maoris as are at present landless, a very great deai will be done to encourage the Maoris to worK. An example will be placed before all, and a spirit of emulation will be created which may be judiciously fostered. The effort is at all events an honest attempt on right lines, and we confidently anticipate that a Commission including Sir Eobert Stout and Mr Ngata will prepare the way for beneßcial reforms.

Nelson Citizens* Band.— This Band gave a most enjoyable concert in the Botanical Gardens last evening, when there was a large attendance. The music was very much appreciated, including the items rendered by the magnophone. The takings at the gates amounted to £6 10s. Bandmaster Mockler will visit Christchurch, with the object of hearing the various bands engaged in the Exhibition contest.? A Gipsy Band.— A small band of gipsies have arrived in Nelson and pitched camp in the vicinity of Collingwood street bridge. Home Rule for Ireland.— We remind our readers of the address to be given in the Theatre Rpynl tomorrow night by Mr Donovan, L.L.B. The Mayor will ocoupy the chair. Music— Attention, is . directed to the professional announcement of Miss Dee, whose return from Europe is recorded.— Mr G. F. Naylor, wellknown in this city also has an announcement regarding his early return to Nelson. Nelson Colleges.— The Colleges will resume work on the 4th of February, and it is notified that new pupils for the Uirls' College will be received on Saturday, 2nd prox. A Contradiction.— The Sesretary, pro tern, of the Shedwood Lodge of Druid, Tapawera. writes to us contradicting statements made that Dr Hudson has been appointed Surgeon for that lodge, Drs Pearless and Hamilton having the appointment. Carrier Pigeon. — Last Saturday afternoon a carrier pigeon stopped at Mr E L Newport's, Korere, and as tho bird stopped about it was caught and found to be the bearer of' a message which is decipherable, but the place of despatch is missing. Mr Newport advertises for the owner. Attention is directed to G F Kingston's new advertisement. At the general meeting of the City Club on Wednesday evening the members decided to purchase the property facing Trafalgar Square, known as "Disher's Gardens", for £600. The sale was negotiated by Messrs Mark Sprot and Co., and the price is considered very satisfactory. Capsize of a Yacht.— The Picton Press states that on Tuesday two butchers employed at the Picton Freezing Works, Messrs R. Neal and H. Jackson, went out for a sail at about 11 o'clock in the morning, and their boat was caught in a squall. It turned completely over, and immediately sank to the bottom. Neal, ,who is a good swimmer, at once struck out for the shore, which be reached in safety, but his companion might have fared . badly but for the timely assistance rendered by a party in a motor launch, which fortunately happened, tp p$ jjj t;he bay At to© time.

A nieetiag oi the Wakapuaka ' Branch of the Farmers' Union will be held to-morrow, and all are | invited to be present to hear a ] lecture to be given by Mr Lennox, M.R.C.V.S, As the subject is most | important to farmers, it is hoped that they will take advantage of the opportunity offered them. Dunedin versus Cnristchurcbi — ; ' The "Otago Daily Tii\\es Ji tells the following story:— A rumor has reached Dunedin that for once the Chrisfcchurch grass seed buyers have I been caught napping. Inspired by the news of an excited ryegrass i market, a trio of enterprising agents from Dunodin descended upon Ohristchurch during the week, and, surveying the position, found that, the local buyers wore sitting calmly irijtheir offices waiting for the growers to coma in with their samples in the usual course. Making a skilful detour, the invaders boarded buggies and mado a forced march to the homes of the grass seed growers. Once upon the scene they made such tempting otters as socured the bulk of the new season's seed, and the following day the Christchuieh seed merchants awoke to the painful fact that the market had jumped on them to the tune of at least 6d per bushel* leaving the Dunedin men masters of the position. Strange Experience* — A Woodville (Hawfee's Bay) boy had a somewhat unpleasant experiem^ -'.. camp i ng - Cuu last W6ek." Be suddenly developed most dreadful earache, being nearly driven fiiad, and on returning to his home his mother had to take prompt m&asufeS to. relieve him. Hot oil was poured in the ear, and then it was probed to see if th&re was any obstiubtiorK Tfie' surprise of both the mother and the boy can be imagined when a live worm was taken out .- ot the ear:.. , The boy thought he. had got water in his ear while bathing. Gunnery School for Colonials. — In the course of his speech in replying to the toast of the "Navy and Army" at the Highland gathering in Sydney the other day, Captain Stokes-Reee, C.8.. of EM, Naval Yard at Garden Island*, said that the remar.kabie success of the British navy in giiniiery was solely due to the strict course of shooting that ths men Had \q undergo. There, were just as good itnarßsnien; hi AiiEitjal^a ars any where in" tn'e world, but in his opinion they did not get the practice they should. Some system should, he thought, be evolved with a view to the end he had in view, and for his part, he would like to see instituted there> such an establishment as the great gunnery school at Whale Isalnd in England; Loss of Eighteen Beasts.— An extraordinary occurrence, by which Mr Barber, of Waikanae (says Jthe "Auckland Herald") suffered a severe loss of stock, happened a few days ago. On going round his farm Mr Barber discovered no,- less than six cows lying dead,, and very goon after several other animals s"uccum'bed) Until at last no less than eighteen fine beasts lay. dead from no apparent cause. Mr Barber. seourecj the services of an expert veteriujrj r surgeon; whp; . pn -careful : exa£rtiriatioh,discovered that the animals had died from the effects of swallowing white lead. It was then discovered that a quantity of white lead had been left in such a position that the animals could reach it, and this had caused the mischief. An Alteration Needed. —The "Auckland Herald" gives the following from a Southern writer i— "Of the Bum of islCO handed over las^ year by the Government for swimming to the New Zealand Council only ..£2B 18s , was. spent in the advancement of swimming. The remainder was spent in working expenses by the Council and the centres, the former accounting for ,£Ji 2s and the latter for £57. A Pathetic Story. — Holman Hunt, the iamous artist, is going blind. He said to an interviewer"the other day: —"Two-thirds of my ideals are unrealised. And I have been waiting so long. The tragedy is that while the pptle nerve is* becoming atrdphied, the rest of the body is fit for plenty of work. '' The great painter told his interviewer that he never felt better than at that monient, and but for his eyes, he could walk ten miles without resting. The inability to paint drives him almost to despair at times, for painting has been the joy of his life. He thought that perhaps over application wnen he was fighting fol^* a career was the cause of his misfortune. "To work all day at one's easel and, instead of resting, to attend to a heavy correspondence at night is a severe tax on the nervous system. There waS no alternative except one— a new life in the. colonies. That would have meant giving up my art. I cbuldn't do that" Desperate Bull Fight.— A desperate encounter between two bulls took place at the Palmerston South saleyards no Monday last.' The animals were yarded together on the preceding evening, and persons residing in the neighborhood state that the bovine were fighting during the greater part of the night. In the morning one bull was found dead, and the other died at the railway cattle yards later on in the day. The animals were the property of Mr A Douglas, of Hampden. We follow the Fashions aud Seasons, and keep Goods to meet every condition; See. the latest, the Designer's Art, in Browns and Grey mixtures— Harford and Daly, Tailors, Trafalgar Street. With the advent of spring cornea Victory butter. If you appreciate delicious butter made on the most approved scientific principles ask your grocer for Victory, and take nothing else. 3930 Mb Gbienwood, dentist, New surgery oppoiste M, M. Webster, Trafalgar-street. Gollingwood November 20, 21. The functions organised by the College Old Boys' Association were a great suocesp, especially the gathering on Saturday evening, which was a brilliant affair. Mrs Mnmbies, who was present for a short time, was charmed with the youth and beauty. She said ; ' Lor bless yer, it waß a toney and high -clause turnout. The ladies and the dresses were fetching, they knocked out the best as was to be seen at the AgricuUooral Show! and me, ony haviV a plain grey skirt with a high neok wa3 fairly crowded out— didn't have a danoe or a feed with such high sassiety. I peeped in ths Assembly Hall ; there was some toff ebatrs and sofias, which I knew must have come lrom Bill Look's." There is no doubt that Look's is one of the most up-to-date furuißhiog warehouses In the Colony. Mr Lock is a manufacturer and direct importer and, beßides the wido choice given, hie prices are the lowest, and his terms the easiest. The Temperature. — At three o'clock this morning the thermometer outside this office registered 52 degrees. Messrs Mark Sprot and Co will sell to-morrow privileges on behalf of the Nelson Athletic and Cycling Club; and on Wednesday, February 20tb, nnnual stock sale on behalf of the Wakefield Farmers' Union. On Monday next, at 2 p.m sharp, Mr W. Lock will sell, by order of the c excutors, the furniture and effects in the estate of the late D. Kirk wood.