The Daily News SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1934. MAORI PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1934, Page 6

The Daily News

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1934. MAORI PROBLEMS.

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With the completion of the celebrations at Waitangi it is well to consider whether any new vision has arisen from that gathering of the future of the Maori race and its place in the community. It is pleasing to note that Maori and pakeha were at. one in the acceptance of the right of the Maori people to retain and expand their racial individuality. Satisfactory also was the recognition of the fact that in tribal laws and traditions the Maori can find a framework for citizenship even though conditions have altered and new applications of the old virtues of courage; loyalty and determination are necessary. Another source of gratification to those who were the pioneers of the movement was the general acceptance of the Maori’s capability for self-development. There was no suggestion that the Maori people were in a state of pupilage, and no suggestion of superiority in the attitude of Europeans who desire to assist the Maori in his development. Both races have much to learn before the resources of their country have been anything like fully developed, both must bear the burden of mistakes made in past years, and both can look forward to brighter days if co-operation throughout the community is constant and well directed. In a general sense there is no doubt of the desire of both European and Maori to embark upon that co-operation, but when the wish is to be translated into practical methods problems begin to arise. In the discussions at Waitangi between the Maori leaders and members of the Cabinet it was evident that the land question was still—as ever—the most difficult subject upon which accommodation between the viewpoint of Maori and pakeha is to be reached, not in regard to ownership, for there are few who question the Maori’s rights to his communal lands, but in regard to the successful occupation and tenure of those lands. The European has done his best by a series of legislative enactments to safeguard the Maori interests in regard to his lands. Unfortunately much confusion has arisen over this legislation, and even its interpretation by the Native Land Court has not been uniform. The problem of the future appears to be the successful occupation rather than the ownership of the land. There is ample evidence that the Maori can become quite capable of using his land if he is allowed to combine what is best in communal ownership with the right of the individual to receive the fruits of his own hard work. That is one of the Maori land problems. To individualise every title to land would be practically an impossibility, nor is it certain that this would bring about a simplified form of land tenure if there is to be any occupation of Maori lands by European settlers. Yet at the same time communal lands neglected and practically unused are worse than useless to their owners, for they are the breeding grounds of noxious weeds that menace, a whole district whether occupied by Maori or by European settlers. Another point discussed at Waitangi was the vexed question of rating of Maori lands. An appeal was made for their complete de-rating, but such a demand seems altogether unreasonable. The Maori landowner shares with the pakeha the benefits of the public services for which the rates provide, and while there may be a case for the de-rating of all farm lands there is certainly much less justification for the de-rating of Maori lands at the expense . of the European settler. The difficulty of collecting rates on Maori land has been experienced by

more than one local authority in Taranaki. In some districts outside the province it has caused acute financial embarrassment, and is responsible for much injustice to ratepayers who meet their liabilities. An amendment of the law whereby rate liabilities may be attached to the land rated was regarded by some Maoris as an attempt to deprive their race of its ancestral holdings, but they received the assurance of Ministers that this was not the case. Last year a commission inquired into the rating of native lands, and made a comprehensive report. The gist of its findings was that certain unoccupied Maori lands should be removed from the valuation rolls as being unrateable, but in regard to occupied lands there was no more reason for de-rating Maori land than for de-rating areas occupied by Europeans. Further classification and valuation was also recommended, and in this regard it was suggested that the Maori owners could render much assistance. If Waitangi meant anything it meant that the privileges of British citizenship had been accorded the Maori race. But that citi.zenship implies responsibilities as well as privileges, and if the Maori desires the status of that citizenship he must accept both conditions. There is every desire to deal justly with the Maori in regard to local taxation. Justice, however, cannot be onesided, as Maori teachings and traditions testify abundantly. The manner in which the Maori accepts his local responsibilities will indicate to many wellwishers how far he has. gone along the road to full citizenship.