MONDAY, JULY 2, 18^3.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5101, 2 July 1883, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, JULY 2, 1883.

"LAND SWALLOWING."

Wahanui and his friends have selected a new phrase for the appropriation of their lands, which has its point and application. They ask for protection against the havoc which is being made of their lands. The Government reply that they are going to bring in a bill to deal with the lawyers ; surely an utterly inadequate remedy for the disease. It is not the lawyers who are the "land swallowers." They may be instruments in the hands of these gentry, but if they did not exist, other instruments equally effective would be found. The truth is that the lawyers who practise in the Native Land Court happen to be unpopular, while the land swallowers are a great political power. The Government think they can touch the former with impunity. The latter are numerous, active, and influential, and know how to coerce a Ministry. Mr Bryce brought in a bill in 1880 to provide that all Native lands should be sold through the Waste Lands Board ; he left before the end of the session for the "front," and the measure was dropped. The subject was not revived in 1881 or 1882, and has probably been buried. Since then the era of Native land companies has been ushered in, and they are spreading themselves broadcast over the Island. This is the result of Mr Whitaker's free trade policy in Native lands, once so fiercely condemned by Mr Bryce, but now receiving his countenance and support. Some short time since we wrote suggesting what we believe would have been a sound policy to apply to the Native laad question, and we are glad to find that Mr Kelly has tabled a series of resolutions almost identical with what we proposed. They seem to us to be calculated to deal effectually with the problem. These resolutions run as follows : " That this House is of opinion that the time has arrived when it is absolutely necessary, in the interest of both races, that the present system of direct sale of land by the Native owners to individuals shall absolutely cease. That for the future the survey of Native land for the purpose of ascertaining the ownership thereof shall be made by the Survey Department only. That the cost of survey, and the cost of ascertaining ownership, be in the first instance a charge on the Consolidated Fund. That, on the ownership being fully ascertained, the Native owners may deal with their land as follows : (a) sell absolutely to the Crown ; (b) sell through the agency of the Land Department, under the ordinary land laws," subject to such agreement as may be made as to a portion of the land, or the proceeds thereof, being applied to opening up the land for sale; (c) leases for a term of years, with the right of purchase to the lessee, through the agency of the Land Department ; (d) place the land under "The Native Reserves Act, 1882," to be dealt with as the Act directs. That the Crown shall in all cases have the right to take lands for roads, railways, and other purposes of public utility, on giving a fair price for such land. That the cost of survey and the cost of administration be a first charge on land absolutely sold, but not exceeding per acre. That in the case of land leased, the deduction for survey and administration be spread over a period of years. That in respect to land sold to the Crown, no deduction be made for the cost of survey and the ascertaining of ownership. That the Government be requested to bring in a Bill this session to give effect to these resolutions." We take exception to one clause in these comprehensive resolutions. There ought to be a limitation to — the granting of " leases for a term of years, with the right of purchase, to the lessee," and no such right ought to be given unless in the case of agricultural sections in areas limited to 640 acres. It is obvious that if the right of purchase were given in the case of unlimited areas gigantic monopolies would be established, and the evil of land swallowing would be perpetuated in a fresh form. Mr Kelly has furnished the Government with a working policy, and the very best j thing they can do is to accept his resolutions, and proceed directly to give effect to them.