THE REASON WHY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3685, 24 July 1886, Page 3

THE REASON WHY.

We extract the following from au article which appeared m the Haioera Star jußt before the natives commenced their illegal proceedings which have got them into trouble : — lt has been suggested that it would be a good plan if, instead of starting to plough, and thereby getting into gaol, the natives would state plainly the nature of their grievance and the direction they would like reform to take ; and send a deputation to Wellington to urge their plea for redress. That this would be by far the best course for the natives to pursue is beyond all doubt, but we much fear that there is no hope of tbeiradoptingsuchamethod. The department may say what it likes, but thero ia not the leasb doubt that Te Whiti ia still regarded by the natives as their great guide and instructor, and that it is he who is directing the present movements. Clearly, then, before Parliament could be approached m the manner suggested, it would be necessary to get Te Whiti to say what is wro--g and how he would like things righted ; and of that there seems to be not the least hope. So far as our knowledge goes, the main points of dissatisfaction are ns follows : — (1) The delay m paying over to the native grantees the rents received from the tenants ; (2) tho heavy commissions and deductions for survey, loading, and various purposes charged against the rents ; (3) the easing-off of termß for a series of years m favor of European tenants ; and (4) the individualisation of titles. In theory this last point should bo a great acquisition, but m practico it doeß not work well. Natives often have to travel miles to receive a miserable dole which is spent at the- nearest publichouse before they start off on their road home again, whilst the chiefs who formerly handled the whole of the rents now have to be content with their own share. Natives have been m tho habit of allowing the chiefs to receive rents, and many are quite willing to allow them to continue to do so. Thus all parties are dissatisfied, and the feeling on tho part of the natives is intensified wren old leases are m question. Former'y thoy dealt with their tenants direct ; they received their rents without deductions ; and frequently got heavy advances when thoy wanted money for any special purpose. Now this has all been changed, and although it would be unfair to say that no good has resulted, yet there are signs that the natives are at this present moment leßs satisfied with tho land question than they were a short time back.