MAORI LAND LAWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2144, 20 March 1908, Page 3

MAORI LAND LAWS.

GREAT GATHERING IN THE NORTH.

PLAIN TALK FROAT, THE GOVERNOR,

HAMILTON, Alarch 18. The Governor, at tho request of tho Waikato Natives, visited Wuhuroa, to hear their grievances and tho alleged breach of tho treaty of AVaitangi. Tho Prime Alinister, Hon. J. Carroll, Alessrs Ngntn, Ilono Hoko, and Kitihnu wero also present. Tho Atuoris expressed their desires as follows: —“That tho lands of Waikato confiscated ho returned to tlio pcoplo from whom they wore taken by force of arms. There wore many lands in Taranaki and Tauranga taken by force and oil tho East Coast, which were in suspense, and a portion of which had boon considered or investigated by law. Therefore they petition that the lauds ho returned that wore taken by tlio Government after the wars. They became ono communion with the pakeba under tho treaty of Waitangi; therefore they considered that confiscation of their lands should bo tried by law, and asked for a petition to bo forwarded to the King. Tabanga ICawn, a Maori chief, addressing the Governor, saying that the race was disappearing, also their lands, and they wanted their lands saved. THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

The Governor replied that as tho deputation visited him at Wellington, it was suggested that the petition bo forwarded to the king, and bo told .thorn that there wero many other things they might bend tlieir efforts to besides the treaty of Waitangi. It was much bettor to have a friendly open discussion. Tho address presented differed somewhat from tho one presented at AVellington to bo sent- to the King. Both referred much to the treaty of Waitangi, but flic present one- especially to the confiscation after tho war. At the same time they must remember that the previous petition, which mentioned among other tilings that tlio treaty had nob been kept, and the present law of New Zealand was not in accordance with it; consequently tho natives were rapidly becoming destitute. Tho petition went- on to call tho King to put an ond to many laws, old and new. Since lie had received the petition ho had many Alaoris propose that if no satisfactory answer was received to send a deputation Homo to the King. Tho question of confiscation of native lands in that part of tho world ho was not prepared to go into. Ho was not-, going to speak on the matter, as ho hud not been specially asked. It would bo easy to say they had bis sympathy and that ho hoped they would go Homo and see tho King, and wish them a pleasant timo, and ho supposed he could then go homo with their thanks and applause ; but they would not bo better off. Ho had too much respect for tho Alaoris to say that. Ho would say tlio truth as it represented itself to him, and ho would remind them that tho Government of the Dominion was independent of tho Houso and tho country, and had no axe to grind and was miinflenced by political consideration. So he would say, regarding the proposal to send a deputation Homo that tho older ones would remember occasions in tlio timo of tho late Queen, that tho concerns of the Alaoris and whites of New Zealand wero the concerns of tho New Zealand Government'and not Homo authorities. This had been said three or four times, and as in tlie Queen’s time, so -it would be in tlie Kings time. The deputation would have a good time, tho people who sent them would have to find a lot of money, and the Imperial Government would give the same' reply as formally, and tlio poor Natives left in New Zealand would lose their money with a certainty of disappointment. Regarding tlio Waitangi treaty petition in AVellington ,and tho ono in his hand, ho said tho treaty had not been carried out as it was originally drawn up, was perfectly true. No ono denied it, but times changed and what was suitable for nil at one time was not suitable at another. The spirit of the treaty was absurd, as was the spirit of the great- English treaty of Alagna Charta. The question was one of fair principles and not particular clauses. The petition also mentioned a number of laws the King ought to repeal. Many were past tho time when the King could repeal, if not all. AA’hen the clauses ol' the treaty wero made they wero many who would not- act in the best Alaori interests, but- there wero many who wished justice done. The proudest boast of the British was that wherever they went they treated the native tribes as fairly as possible. Italways work out as intended, but lie wished.to press the Government and tlie Native members to improve tho working of the laws instead of wanting them repealed. This was the manner in which he saw the point himself. He spo'ko as a friend. As Governor he could not touch on political questions. The treaty of AVaitangL was at. the same time a blessing and a cursb to tho Maoris. A blessing for protecting them in the early days; a curse when they relied upon it, and not tlieir own work and their own thoughts, when all that was wanted was to keep the Alaoris as well as possible. But the treaty -would not do that. There were tribes with land and without grievances, which were dying out. He thought it was wise and proper that the maoris should possess laws, but that would not save them. That sort of action was like tho dog and tho shadow. If they continued to trust to tho treaty and not to themselves tliero would eventually only bo tlie treaty left and no Alaoris. Ho had told the Chiefs many things which he thought important, and would repeat them to tlie people who were so ready to take up tlio people’s cause. There was modern education which was of more importance than anything. If tlio young wore not taught they would never get- further in tho world. It they had no schools and no good education they had a splendid grievance against the Government, quite as important as the treaty. Education was given in some native schools, but they gave no educational instruction,'which was wanted by clever young men. They should fight for fetter education. Concluding, His Excellency mentioned the sanitation of homes, and warned thorn against “quacks,” both Alaori and pakeha, which wero equally bad. His last advice was not to think so much of tho treaty of AVaitangi or the confiscation of lands in the past, but to think what to do in the present. He hoped forgiveness from them for plain speaking. \ THE PREMIER'S SPEECH.

Sir Joseph Ward said it did not do to have wrong impressions convoyed to them. Certainly they recognised that the Governor had spoken jiis sincere thoughts, and impressed on them the constitutional position, and that it was useless to go to other sources. They raised a big question of policy, and when such questions wero raised the Homo Government must send them back to where the authority rests. He reminded them of the reasons for confiscation, because or rebellious natives who wero previously warned what the result would be. 'When the lands were ceded to the Queen she undertook to protect the Maoris as a nation. They were incorporated with New Zealand, and the fact must not be overlooked that things had been dope not ill 111? treaty at all. IV r iii’str.iirc many Maoris had received old age pensions. Why was this d lie*l" Because the Government helped the aged _New Zealander whether Maori or European. Tlio whole solution of the question would be for tlio Maori to work the land aful benefit, and be thrifty, and their troubles would disappear. The Government were prepared to do all they could to help tlio Maori. They bad four Maoris in the Lower House and some'in the Upper House. His 21 years’ experience showed that these members always did the best for the Maoris that they could do. He did not want to stop them’going Home if they wanted to, but tlio Governor told them what the result would be. The remedy was for the Parliament of the country. Nothing, however, could be obtained

MAN A TRAMPLED ON. Hnmiora Alanga Knliin- said that heaps of petitions had never boon answered, and wore lying at 'Parliament. Tlieir ninna bad boon trampled on. Tlioy wanted full rights lor their timber lands, and full nui n a -over, their property. They had spoilt much money on titles, but none were existent fibre. . . . Timona and Rnwiti also spoke. FURTHER REPLIES. Tlio lion. J. Carroll spoke in the same tones as Sir Joseph ANard, the Governor further stating that the Alaoris wero not united ; some wanted one-tiling and others were ■against it. Confiscation was tlieir own fault through rebelliousness. They knew the old penalty for losing in war and they in;:,:': abide by it. When they had 1m l lull maun over tlio lands tor marl./ two years they -sold 300,000 acre;. ANOTHER MEETING. Air.-Kaibau spoke a few words, and invited the natives to a further meeting at Ngaruawahia to-day.

MEETING AT NGARUAWAHIA

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER.

Press Association. ROTORUA, March 19. Another large gathering of Alaoris was held at Ngaruawahia, AVailcato, to-day, with reference to the confiscation ol : nativo lauds question, tho Governor (Lord Plunlcct), tho Prime Minister (Sir J. G .AYard) and tho Alinister for Native Affairs (tho Hon. J. Carroll) were'present. Journeying from Hamilton by special train, practically all the tribes who were represented at AYcdnesday s conference at Waharoa attended. Yesterday an address of . wclcomo from tho Hon. Alahutn, M-L,CV,,tho King of the Alaoris, who resides m the Waikato, was presented to tlio Governor by Henare Ivaihau, the nativo AI.P. for tlie district, who also handed His Excellency, as a gift from tho King, two handsome wearing mats. Lord Plunket, in reply! said ho hoped that the deliberations that day would bring about a satisfactory conelusion.

Tho Prime Minister, -in tlio courso of an address to tho Maoris, advised them to show the plans of all blocks of lands that they wore custodians of, owners of, wbat was required tor the use and occupation of Maoris for permanent reserves, and lor recreation purposes. Then let them show what part was available lor leasing and selling. If the Alaoris would use portions of tlieir lands conscientiously’ and honestly, their proposals, if reasonable, would be confirmed by the Royal Commission on Native Lands, and by the law, for all time. The Prime Alinister then left the gathering by special train for Rotorua, but tlio Hon. Jas. Carol'll, Alinister for Native Affairs, remained at Ngaruawahia to discuss the matter in conference with the Alaoris. The Rrimo Alinister left oir arrival at Rotorua by motor ear for Tauranga via To Puka.