Native Rents.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 6495, 25 April 1888, Page 2

Native Rents.

TO TEE EDITOE.

SiE,~lt would appear that the old leases on this confiscated foast, some of which have onjy three or four years to run, are to be classified with the new leases and all arc to bo surrendered forthwith, whether the natives or the public like it or not. The rents are to be reduced to a mere trifle, and paid ito tho Public Trustee, so that the natives themselves are to get nothing, and then, Sir, at tho expiration of thesa new leases there will be at least *5 an acre for improvements clapt on. In fact it moans "nothing more nor less than a second confiscation of tho hind from the Maoris, and all for tho sake of the votes at the last Egmont election. There area great lot of Government papers at Hawera and elsewhere being forced upon the natives ; these papers are said to bo in connection with tho surrendering of the native leases, but the Maoris won't take these papers at any price. It is a great shamo tho way that some of these natives arc bomg jumped upon, especially people who have not accepted any rents from tho Trusteo. I would ask you, Mr Editor, if it is right to do these people out of their rights that have been Crown-granted to them, seeing that it is through no fault on their part.— l am, &c, Sbttlißß.