NATIVE LAND COURT—A TIME FOR ACTION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 244, 8 January 1889, Page 2

NATIVE LAND COURT—A TIME FOR ACTION.

Fro a correspondent we have received a letter which is deserving of the most prominent place that can be given it, for the subject is one that _ has not received the attention to which it is entitled. The letter is forcible and to the point, and though we shall take an early opportunity of recurring to the subject, our correspondent ably takes the initiative. He writes as follows Sir—There seems to be a great atqount of apathy exhibited by the Native Land Department in making preparation for the forthcoming sitting of the Native Land Court gazetted to be held here on the 10th January, and unless the community arouse themselves and stand upon the pedestal of right we shall find that the drifting system will be cemented into a bed rook, not easily workable. It seems clear the Government are iatent on suffocation, i.e., they will not use their power in ordering Courts to be held in the principal towns of the colony for the purpose of adjudicating on the unsettled tenures of land, surrounding and adjacent, and approximate to these towns. Gisborne has been most unfortunate, or rather so absolutely neglected and shunned, as to call forth from the in. habitants and interested persons howl* of disgust. Wbat part of the oolony has contributed more Native duty in the past tbm years ? What part of the colony has paid a larger sum in fees to support the Native ? Wh»i put of the eolony ha* ions te

the expense of testing in the Courts of law the questions raised upon the absurd and muddled legislation that the colony (unsettled) has been sitting under in comparison to Gisborne? It is a shame that matters are allowed to stand as they are, and it surely is imperative that a public meeting be called, and without delay, by the Mayor, in conjunction with the Chairman of the County Council, pray (if nothing else will do) the Government to open up by the Native Land Court the wealthiest portion of the North Island, to distribute the burden of rates, to give scope for the young in emerging from their coops, and alleviate the distress that now is in the words of the prophet Daniel “ Standing where it ought not. ” I trust steps will be publicly taken and the greatest trouble of New Zealand fought to an end.—l am, etc., Pakkha.