WEST COAST LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 287, 7 May 1914, Page 4

WEST COAST LANDS.

There is another matter Mr. Isitt 4wcussed upon whicli wo would liko to say a. iuvr words. It is the West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment- Act passed last year. Mr. Isitt thinks 111 injustice is being' done to the Maori owners. We fail to see where it comes

in. Under the new law the 'holders of the 1381 leases have their leases extended for a period of ten years, at a rental based on present valuation, with compensation for full improvements at the expiry of 'their leases. Then, if he chooses, the Maori may by paying compensation for improvements, become possessed of the land. Two-thirds of the rental he is to receive during the ten years will be set aside iby the Public Trustee on behalf of the Maori beneficiary for the purpose of paying for these improvements. If, however, the Maori prefers to sell his interests, he may do so, not to the lessee but to the Government. There is here no question of robbing tihe Maori. He gets his land improved and the money to buy out the pakeha lessee in d"ue time, and if he detires to sell he [receives full market value. ■Tust whether it is advisable for the Maori to be given the handling of the money, should he take it into hia head to realise his interests, admits of a difference of opinion. No doubt there 13 much in Mr. Isitt'g contention that as the Maori is a very improvident person, dissipating his substance at the first opportunity, it would be in his own interests, as well as in the country's, if the money were funded and held in trust for him, he receiving but the interest. But that is another matter. It is our opinion that 'the Taranaki Maori would have been infinitely better off had he never been in receipt of rente from the reserves. He would have then been forced to work. His salvation lies in work. Without it sie must go on deteriorating. Bigger rentals will only increase his disinclination to labor and increase his desire for ephemeral plea- 1 sures. The greatest kindnesa which could be rendered him would be to relieve him of all his territorial interests, but, of course, this could not honestly be done, for his projfcrty rights have to be respected like those of the pakeha. On broad grounds of public policy, the Act of last year was justified. The lessees certainly have another ten years' tenure, but it has to be remembered they are to paly full market price,for the extension, whilst the Maori secures bigger rentals and has the opportunity of acquiring the freehold at the end of the term, a right, he it remembered, that he never enjoyed before.