THE LAND BLOCKADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2578, 12 August 1909, Page 2

THE LAND BLOCKADE.

Tho North Island is full of great Crown and native blocks, which ought to have been dealt with long ago, and settlement is barred in every direction by the peculiar policy of the Government. The Mokau Block, which Mr Carroll' casually considers it “inadvisable that 52,000 acres should remain so long unutilised,” is only one case in point, but it serves, to illustrate tho “taihoa” policy. This groat block, lying between Auckland and Taranaki provinces,- magnificently fertile and most advantageously situated, is tied up simply because the Native Department and the Cabinet take no action. Maori owners and palceha .settlers are jointly desirous of removing an embargo which, in this case, consists of a mortgage, many times' less than the value of/ the land. If the Government would stand aside and allow tho Alaoris to deal with their own land, under European law, the Mokau Block, like hundreds of others, would bo settled in a few months. But the Alaoris can do nothing and tho Government will do nothing. Air Jennings, in- supporting a Alaori deputation to Mr Carroll, pointed out that tho block is impeiUi ing the l progress of North Taranaki and South Auckland—but is there any hope of such a plea affecting tho equanimity of the Acting-Prime Alinister?—New Zealand “Herald.”