Wanganui Chronicle AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA. MONDAY, JUNE 12. 1882.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 9660, 12 June 1882, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA. MONDAY, JUNE 12. 1882.

The Native Eeserves Bill, introduced by the Hon. Mr Bryce, is destined to have a- very stormy time of it, and doubts are freely oxpressed with, regard to its chances of becoming law. . The second reading was moved !;by the Native Minister on Tuesday night. He pointed out the urgent necessity which exists for a comprehensivo measure dealing with these reserves, and the advantages which might be expected to arise from placing 'them under the c'ontrof of; the Public Trustee. The opposition to the Bill comes from various quarters. The native members are altogether against it, and spoke strongly, and it must also be admitted, forcibly, on the subject. Mr Tawhai said the Bill reminded him of a herring. It was so full of boneß that he who tried to eat it must be careful. He would, however, try to extract some of the bones in committee. Mr Tairoa objected to the measure being brought forward and passed hurriedly. Besides, he considered that the natives ought not to be treated as children, and that they were perfectly competent to look after their own affairs. Major Te "Wheoro objected that too much of the administrative power was placed in the hands of Europeans. He urged the Native Minister to amend the Bill, so that natives should be added to the Board ; and he also protested strongly against any doubt being allowed to exist with regard to what lands tho measure was intended to apply. The West Coast (Middle Island) members are also greatly dissatisfied with the Bill, but on entirely different grounds. The Maoris in that part of the colony have reserves at the mouth of each of the principal rivers, and other reserves occupying the best of the agricultural land further up the streams. At Westport the river has washed away the town reserve, and at Hokitika it is on the side of the river opposite to the town; but at Greymouth the principal part of the town is situated on the Maori reserve, and the effect has hitherto been most disastrous to European interests, and it does not appear that the native owners have been very great gainers by the system under which this reserve has been managed. The farmers, too, on the native reserves .on several of the streams are greatly dissatisfied with the terms imposed on them by the Native Eeserves Commissioner ; and altogether, from one end of the West Coast of the Middle Island to the other there is great discontent on the part of the European occupiers of those reserves. Attempts have from time to time been made to induce the Government to father a scheme by which the whole of the native reserves in European occupation in that part of the country might be sold, ihe proceeds being invested for the benefit of the natives entitled to share, [t has been alleged that such a method of dealing with those lands would be greatly to the advantago of lioth races, and that thoro should bo 10 difficulty in so tying up tho sums realised at the sales that they should lot be wasted, but might bo made to pield a handsome income to the na:ives for all time. Wo are not conending for tho adoption of this ■chowe, or os pressing any opinion ivith regard to iis justice AVo nerely allude to it for the purpose of showing how it comes to pass thai lie Government may expect considerible opposition from Westfond and lerhnps Nelson members to a measure which ou broad grounds has certainly a good deal to recommend it. JTot that thoro is tho remotest chanco

of the Westland members being able to gain support for their own peculiar views. Perhaps at some future time Parliamentary opinion may change on this point, but at present any proposal to deal specially with the West Coast (Middle Island) native reserves, by way of sale, would not be listened -to for a. moment. But the West Coast members, although they are, no. doubt, well aware of this.iact," may consider it their duty to oppose a measure which is entirely against the, interests of their constituents, and which seems to place the chances of a satisfactory-solution of the reserve question further off than ever. ; If in the "past it has" been found impossible to obtain a patient hearing of their case, how much more difficult • would it be when a new point of departure has been taken, and the native reserves placed under the control of the Public -Trustee. .The objection raised by Sfajor/Te Wheoro as to the uncer-. taintyof the Bill seems to have-some foundation' in fact;-' At all events the Bill i 8 ;not one which " can be readily understood in all of its provisions. It seems, however, certain that, if this Bill be passed, it will be possible for the Government, with the consent of. the natives, to, make reserves of all native lands in the North Island, their managementbeing in the Hands of the Public Trust Office. ' It may be, ' of course, contended that this, danger is extremely remote, but still it is not improbable that very vast areas of land at present the property of natives might be brought under the operation of- the Act, and we cannot say that we think it would be a good' thing either^ for the .native, or, European population. It is obviously right that care should be (i takenyto prevent ; the. becoming,, pauperised. But all' that is necessary by way of safeguard is tp , see that sufficient lands are held back for the natives to reside on and. cultivate, the rents of a further area'being reserved for their use. What those areas should r be is ,as yet undetermined, but it cannot, 'in our opinion 1 , be a judicious course of proceeding to create a vast native trust which would to some " extent retard settlement, and would keep every Maori in the North Island in affluence and laziness. We believe that) after making sufficient provision to prevent ■ the natives becoming paupers and 'vagrants, the sooner the' 'bulk" of the native lands finds its way into the, hands of European settlers the better for the future prosperity of the colony. Whether the Bill be passed or not, it seems certain that. further considerable opposition will be ox T perienced, and that great modificar tions of the measure may be expected ; before it finally becomes law. '