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Western Star, Issue 464, 23 July 1881, Page 2

“ Justice ” again reverts to tne question of merging the native reserve in the borough—this time in a more reasonable frame of mind, which we attribute to the convincing nature of our remarks on the subject! There are still several points, however, upon which our correspondent’s views require correcting; this being done, we have no fear that, instead of ranging himself against the proposal, he will become one of the most ardent supporters of it. And the first and most important plea, the one indeed that forms the basis of justification of merging—is the fact that there are but few, so few' that their number does not affect the question, natives now residing on the kaik that the original purpose of the reserve is completely nullified. Why should the descendants of the native owners of the .laud, who are in every way capable of looking after tbeir own interests, be treated in an exceptional manner? Arc they not as capable of being entrusted with the power of doing as they please with their property as Europeans ? We nave a higher estimate of their character than our correspondent apparently has. The proposition to exchange the land, although an ulterior one, can be defended on very strong grounds, and failing other solution of the difficulty we are prepared to advocate that course. In doing so, we fail -to discover any feline escape from a .bag ; the suggestion was openly made, therefore we cannot fairly be charged with harboring dark and sinister designs against the natives. Whether or not the occupants of the reserve are themselves in favor of merging, is a point that remains to be determined; our information leads us to believe that there is a very general desire on their part to'be admitted to the rights and privileges of citizenship. At any rate they will shortly have an opportunity of giving expression to their opinion upon the subject. “Justice’s” other remarks are based upon the assumption that the parties most interested are innocent natives, who, did not a paternal Government take them under its protection, would become the victims of crafty and designing Europeans. We cannot too strongly impress upon our correspondent that, whatever reason there was to believe that such a result would ensue a quarter of a century ago, the conditions that would have contributed to that end no longer exist; hence the time has arrived when Crown grants should be issued to those entitled to them, and a portion, if not the whole of the laud, merged in the municipality.