THE WAIROA SOCIAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2016, 27 February 1907, Page 4

THE WAIROA SOCIAL

Tim following in mi abridged report From tlio Wniron Guard inn of tiio recent social Micro:- — The Hon. Jus. Carroll said his present visit was associated with business matters, which lio hoped would have a material result, in connection with that keen question, the land. Ho was always pleased to come to Wniron. It was the land of his birth and associated with his past. Those endearing associations crowded on his mind when ho viewed the memorable scenes of his childhood. Wniron was a beautiful place to any stranger. Ho had travelled hero by a route which was especially picturesque—the Mororo road. Ho thought that when ono viewed Wniron from the top of the hill coining into Wniron, and saw rivor, city, plain, smiling "below, it was an extremely picturesque scene. Hut ho thought if the wide urea thus viewed wore made more productive and were more thickly settled it would assist to (ill in the picture. Wniroa was at present inundated with official visitors, and their old friend, tlio Maori Hand Court, still stuck to them. However, tly; various Hoards, Courts, and Commission were hero on business, and they hoped ihe aggregate volume of their <.f.'...'ts would spell advance for Wniron. 'lilt Maori Hand Hoard was a new institution for dealing with native affairs, ft was designed to facilitate the settlement of the idle native lands of the North Island. The native land question was one of their greatest problems. Abler men than those in power at present perhaps had attempted to grapple with this question of such vital importance and interest to the whole colony. _ It was not for him to detail the various proposals by which they hoped to inaugurate a system whereby the immense area of native lands lying wavto could be utilised for settlement. The principle of the Maori Land Board was that it should have tlio administration of Maori lands. Portions would be set aside for the Maoris, and Europeans would lie induced to take up the surplus. Terms and conditions would be submitted to a prospective lessee, and the Hoard would endeavor to administer the land to tlio best advantage, and follow as near as possible the methods adopted in the disposition and administration of ordinary Crown lands. The difficulty hitherto in dealing with native land had been the fact that there were so many owners in a native block. The old system was not conducive to settlement. To a prospective lessee the lists of owners meant an empty pocket, for obtaining them meant a large expenditure. Then probably an incomplete title was the result. Then the Courts were not expert in extracting fees from tlio applicant. It mefint "delay, loss of money, and probably in the end the applicant would fail to get the land. The. Maori Land Hoard was a shorter cut to results. They consisted of two Europeans and one native. An application was considered, and if approved the applicant got the land with no trouble and a r good title. The Act also provided that when the Native Minister was satisfied that native lands were not being cultivated, or utilised as they should he he could vest them in the Hoard, and they could then be cut tip and disposed of. That they considered an agreeable short cut to the desired end. All the old complicated methods were thus avoided. He thought tlie innovation would take a good deal of improving upon. In this district there were large areas which the natives could not use or which could not bo individualised, because doing so would cost more than the land was worth. It.was far bettor to deal with it on broad lines. It was necessary for the benefit of the native owners to inaugurate a now system. They were there not so much to educate the pakelia as to educate the Maori people. "Whatever Europeans might say about confiscation a success can never bo reached without the cooperation of those concerned. If the natives were made to realise that they must either use their land or let others use it, they would fall heartily in line with the movement. In every community customs changed. Ho remembered tlio time when the people of "Wairoa thought of nothing but sheep. No ono would go into the back country. They were growing out of that. Men were going into the backblocks and opening up the country. Hut what Wairoa wanted was closer settlement. This ideal could bo attained better by dairying than by any other method. This industry had been the salvation of many parts of the colony. When the population increased it was not right that individuals should hold large areas. They must make room for the growing multitudes. The flat lands of Wairoa should be taken over and cut up and let for dairying purposes. The industry should be encouraged, and was far more conducive to prosperity than the exclusive running of sheep. Much of tlio hill country surrounding Wairoa was suitable for this industry, more so than for sheep. Afore families could be raised on small holdings. There was ample room for not only European. small settlement, but also for Maori small settlement. That the Maoris were suitable for such settlement was instanced by what they had clone at Nuliaka and elsewhere in this district. His advice to the Wairoa people was to go in for dairying. They, were here for the purpose of urging upon the people the benefits of closer settlement. Of course when they deal with Maori land the prqcoeds would go to the owners of the land. The Europeans were hungering for land, and any unutilised they must have. The time had also arrived to improve tlio condition and status of the Maori. Take a block of 20,000 acres." There would probably bo COO owners. "Why should this block of land lie idle to the detriment of the district? Was it not far better to utilise it and let it to 20 or 40 selectors? They might deem it prudent to reserve half, or, say, a third, for Maori settlement. The .whole or part would be offered to the : public. Though tlio Maori owners took up their own land they would have to pay tlicir rents to the Land Board. Ah tlio land would have to produce rents, and then the Hoard would distribute their shares to the native owners. The natives evinced a strong desire to settle cm their lands. They wanted their tenures from tlio Maori Land Hoard, and wore also willing to pay rents. The Hoard’s sanction would place all tenants on a good footing and secure them a good title, so that they would bo able to got loans under the Advances to Settlers’ Act. Ho was satisfied that under propor conditions the natives and Europeans would work side by side in the same industry together. They all know they had his cordial sympathy in anything tending to the advancement of Wairoa or the district- _ Wairoa had a future. He was convinced that with some assistance this would bo one of the most prosperous districts in tlio colony. Their duty was just dawning. It was very easy to predict a future for any place, hut "Wairoa had such an immense back country that once developed it must conduce to a prosperity that would make this one of the leading districts of the colony. They liad active-minded aiul ablebodied men going into the backblocks. Their labor would have a beneficial result. What the Government wanted to do was to help the struggling man who goes back and adds a cultivated area to the sum of civilised accomplishment. They all had to perform their duty, which was to facilitate the settlement of the land. Hcgarding Wniroa wants be must say" it had been kept in the background. He, however, was always glad to hoar the voice of Wairoa. It bail been a happy place in tlio past. There was never extreme poverty, no struggle for existence had been evident. They were happy within themselves. They always had their picnics and holidays. Old men and children likewise enjoyed life. We could not always be or have what we liked. Hut it was time they.took a stand and encountered tin; currents and eddies- of every day life. Alight they not enquire whether they had made the best use of tlieir opportunities, and worked to productive ends. ■ Tlio answer was “No.’' Ho must apologise for disturbing them in their happiness and enjoyment, but they must push along, or they would be asked to “move on.” At present "Wairoa bad much legislation amongst them,but many might enquire, “U as it the right sort?” . This district wanted roads and bridges. Well, as long as be liad any connection with tlio Government he would do bis best for them. They would have thenfair proportion of the expenditure on Public Works. Only bo requested them not to ask for too much, and to put their pressing wants m front of the list. The Government might he able to do all they requested. The probability was that they could only help them with their most urgent requirements. Any proposition tlieir member advanced for the progress of the district he would gladly assist. As he said before lie had a diffidence in speaking upon broad public matters. There was, for instance, the land question. That was in the province of liis colleague, Air. AlcNa I>. There was great controversy over this question throughout the colony. After all, when you considered things, the Government must take the lead on great points in public policy. They considered a matter and submitted it to the people. Public opinion would guide them as to what was best for tlio country. Tlio Land Bill was forced to the front by virulent critics. An immense amount of misrepresen-

bn (.ion had boon made on Ibis question. Previously to its introduction a general desire bail been evinced for an amendment of the existing Land Act. There was an agitation for an amendment. Tlieir critics whispered in the ears of their Crown tenants Unit they were sitting under an injustice. This insidious seed once planted, flourished, and forced tlio Government to bring in the Land Bill. The Government bad appointed a Commission to enquire into tlio matter. AVbon that Commission gave tlio result of its labors, it was met with scoffs and jeers by tlieir critics. Tlieir cry then became “tlio freehold and"nothing lint tlio freehold.” Tlio Hill was attacked more viciously than any measure within his experience. Tlio critics desorbed it as a pernicious and injurious Act. Although they had previously been urging the Government to amend the land laws, when the Hill was introduced, they adopted the attitude of blisses', fa ire. The main proposal of tlio Act, viz., tlio curtailment of largo estates, was distasteful to these opponents. His party bad always stood out against the aggregation of largo estates, nevertheless the Hill was declared to lie cruel and unjust, lie had to confess that lie did not like dealing openly with this question, and admitted it required delicate handling. Besides it was the peculiar domain of bis colleague Air ATcNub. However, at tacks bad been made upon tile whole Ministry in reference to the subject, and they liad to defend themselves. No one could say close settlement was a wrong principle. The country was continually asking for land to settle upon. The Government hud, as far iis possible, provided this. What was the result? —an immense increase in tlio bulk of exports. The Government deserved credit for tlio increased prosperity of the country, since it had provided the moans for the people thus expanding and contributing to the national wealth. The Government also recognised that to give the people scope to pursue the various industries they must force tlio largo areas of good land in the possession of a few to bo cut up. How was this to ho done? They saw that they must apply some popular principle. Tlio proposed limitation was the result. The only other way was to increase the graduated hind tax. Which was the most popular? Certainly the application of an increased graduated land tax was the more simple. It would load to less complications than tlio intricate proposals outlined in the Land Hill. After a careful review of the matter in his own mind he thought it would bo bettor to increase tlio graduated land tax, and let' the Bill rest for the present. It would be just the same as long as they reached tlio desired end. ltoom for tlio increased population to settle was the basic principle which caused the question to arise. It did not propose any attack on the freehold. That was just as safe as it had boon in the past, and would be in tlio future. None of the present tenures were attacked in the amended proposals. They simply had to meet the clamor for land by people anxious to settle. If tlio Government were bound by contract why not the individual? Who were many of these men who were clamoring for .the freehold? They had been put on tlio land by the Government under the perpetual lease tenure. Now they asked for the freehold, and wished to buy out at the original -valuation. It was an absurd claim. Those who fostered such a cry were not the friends of the tenant, but 1 actuated by political motives. Tlio land belonged to the people. Why should tlio Government make a sacrifice on tlieir behalf to enrich the individual? (Hear, hear). If these people wanted the freehold instead of truculently demanding it, let them come cap in hand and ask that they might compote for their properties in the open market. The Government could entertain such a proposition. That would be the only way in which the Government would concede the freehold A Ho felt some delicacy in thus trespassing on the province of another Minister, but they all had to study the various aspects of the political horizon. He hoped the final result would ho a hill not injurious nor prejudicial to the country. However, lie would not weary them longer. He had only touched lightly on main political questions, and his incursion into the territory of another Alinister should not lie taken too seriously. They would be in Wairoa for a few. days, and anything they could do to advance its material interest they would bo glad to do. Ho hoped to assist in making their lands more productive and induce people to come and settle on them. He thanked them for tlio patient hearing they bad accorded him, and for enduring bis little korero, and hoped that' their methods of dealing with the land question would be sucli as they approved. (Applaqse). Air Ngata said Wairoa was full of officials—of a sort. There were portents in the air. In tlie Maori mind there were grave questionings. They were asking why all this stir, what was behind this movement. They deemed it was in favor of the larger section of the community. Tlio waste lands must be settled. Air Fraser had joined issue with the Native Alinister over the freehold. He himself by force of circumstances was a leaseholder. There was a large surplus of native land over after providing them with sufficient areas. They had eight millions of native lands to open up. Of this they could dismiss two millions as useless. Where the surplus was ascertained ho believed in its being leased to tlie 4 Europeans for a certain term. If at the end of that period the Maoris had increased they could then resume this land." It had been said that if the Alaoris chose tlieir portions of a block they would pick the eyes out of it. "Well,anil under similar circumstances what would the pakelia do ? They must grant) tlio Alaori some ambition, a few aspirations. He thought the question of the disposal of the great bulk of native land" did not affect tlio present) generation of Alaoris as much as it would their descendants. If all the surplns'Alaori land wore disposed of whore was the future Maori to got bis heritage? It was not only a question of land, but a racial matter. Hut the Alaori must put. his hand to the wheel. They must drive into the Alaori mind that it is absolutely necessary to- use tlieir lands or lot them. There was in the Maori a dogged resistance to innovation. They couldn’t understand that. He could. For sixty years the pakelia had played with the Alaori. He had to fight for his title. The blocks before tlie Appellate Court liad been held in suspense for 34 years. Aluch of tlie fault may have been in the Alaori himself. There were 1,500,000 of acres of which tlio title had never boon investigated. The pakelia complained of not being able to get land, but the Alaori was worse off because lie couldn’t got on his own land, lie couldn’t get a title to it. It was like a man having a feast in front of him and not being able to eat it. He hoped, with Mr Fraser, that the difficulties which had existed in the past would be brushed away. The colony couldn’t wait any longer for this land. The Maoris would evolve by a process of selection. The best would come to the top. It had been said they couldn’t make a farmer of the Alaori. Perhaps if they encouraged him a little more, gave him an incentive, ho would prove that he could lie made os good a settler as tlio pakelia, at any rate that was wliot lie maintained. It was liis mission to prove that tlio Alaori had all the capacity for making a good settler. If lie couldn’t prove that lie would give tlie game up.. The Alaoris in AVairon had got into a sleepy state. Wairoa itself was a political football. It had an interest in both Napier and Gisborne. AVe were tacked on to Hawke’s Hay at one time and on to Poverty Bay another. But with its lands opening up AA’airoa had a future If it progressed as he thought it would in six years they .might have their own separate electorate.