Native Matters.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 295, 7 May 1889, Page 2

Native Matters.

[TO THE EDITOR.] 1 Sir,—Concerning the matter of reform in tbe procedure of tbe Native Land Court, and also the gim of making it share more authoritatively in legal work. I consider that in order to obtain any good result it might be wise to abolish the Native office altogether, The Native Land Court officials would be well able to manage and ooptrol the affairs of this dr, parttpeni. Tbe Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, having his judges stationed in or near the various centres of aboriginal population, would be properly advised by them in all matters requisite for the con i no’. of such management. Farther, the working of the Court would not ba trammelled by the oftentimes injudicious hindrances whioh ths officials of tbe Native Office offer, nn doubt with good intention, but frequently with oversight of the public wqlifare. The appointment of Conrt officials to serve on the staff of judges, and all ths workings of snob, should ba left altogether in the hands of the Chief Judge and his subordinate judges. Under the present system people ought rather to blame the Native Office fnr blunders small and great instead of visiting more or less of their anger on the unoffending Native Land Court dfficiale, who are really more controlled by Government officials st Wellington, in many matters, than is perhaps advisable. Mr James Carroll, M.H.R., baa taken un the cudgels op behalf of his profession, and alms at obtaining tbe creation of a Licensed Interpreters' Society, etc., vested with proper authority as required for such a purpose. This la a step in the right direction so tar as interpreters era concerned. When we can obtain a clear and oonelu Native Land Law and kill the spider which is always weaving cobwebs to catch flies, then, no doubt, ale will be more tempted to settle on the , and there will be less fear of being led intn purchasing land of doubtful title, less tsar of being bold in the thraldom of endless litigation, and a true sense of protection in the law. Vague and ambiguous enactments altering from yaar to year have frightened the man of moderate capital from settling in fiistriots where the lands are held by the Maoris, Why, even tbe monied land sharks are dis. contented with the present Native Land Act in force in the colony. Free trade in Native land—one law to serve the Pakeha and the Maori alike. That is really what is required, Te Wbiti’a potato cost very dear before it v was cooked. The Te Kooti scare was another Maorifioation of capital. Taking one con, sideration with aaotber, we are much like meniwa fog under present difficulties, and we MMot see clear until the tog lifts,— Tun, file.)