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successful under existing conditions, must have the welfare of both races in view, and must secure the sanction and co-operation of the New Zealand Government. We know that the great trouble lies in the land. Maoris continue to sell their inheritance year after year, and in most instances waste the money they receive for it, and thus the substance on which they depend is passing away from them. We do not say to you, do not sell your land, or, be jealous of Europeans, but be provident, husband your resources in land or money, or you will become paupers in your own country, a mere remnant in number of what you now are, and doomed to speedy extinction. On the other hand, if you take our advice, you will realize the blessings of thrift and civilization, which blessings some of you have learned to value, and your descendants, through their high intelligence, will rightly take the place for which Providence has fitted them. You will probably say, "We are conscious that what you write is too true; our past efforts have been directed to preserve and elevate our people, but circumstances have been against us, and we have failed. Have you any plan to suggest to us? " We are told that there are two opposing views held by Europeans in the colony. One is that the Crown should resume its old right of pre-emption ; the other, that Maoris should be encouraged in every possible way to get rid of their land. Could we not discover some medium course which would reconcile these views, and at the same time prove the best possible one for the Maori ? Land is a talent God gives to nations, but unused and unimproved it is like the talent buried in the ground. You still own much land, much more than you can occupy or use. You have no money to spend upon it, but there is much capital in this country. Is it not possible to marry your land in New Zealand to the capital that is in this country, on terms which will be mutually advantageous? We think it is possible, and, without pledging ourselves to the details of any particular scheme, we should favour some such plan as the following : — 1. Let reserves be made for the Maoris of such lands as they can beneficially occupy. 2. Let a powerful association be formed in London, and under its auspices let the remainder of the available land be surveyed, and valued according to quality at the current price in the colony for Maori land. 3. Let the titles to these lands be individualized by the Maoris by means of the Land Courts, and let certificates be prepared and numbered by the association in series of £25, £50, £100, and £1,000 each, and distributed to the Maoris according to their separate ownership. 4. Let the lands be transferred to the association, and let the association provide the money to open up the lands and to plant settlers upon them. 5. Let the average value per acre of all the lands together be ascertained, and the association apply as a sinking fund for the redemption of the certificates not less than that average value on the quantity of land sold each year, and let that sum be invested in New Zealand Government stocks, or, if the Government y.ill so agree, let the money be handed over to the Government for the prosecution of public works on the land, and the Government pay interest on the amount to the Maoris in the shape of perpetual annuities. 6. Let the Maoris devise some plan for drawing lots for the redemption of the certificates according to the numbers marked on them, and let the holders of the certificates drawn, and their heirs for ever, receive the interest annually on the amount represented by the drawn certificates. 7. Let the profit, after the application of the sinking fund, be annually divided between the Maoris and the shareholders in the English association, but not to exceed 10 per cent, on the paidup capital of the association, and let an equal amount be distributed amongst the Maoris. Any balance still standing over to be applied in augmentation of the sinking fund. 8. A time will come sooner or later, according to the extent to which the sinking fund has been applied (probably in about eighteen years, if 10,000,000 acres are included in the scheme, and sales to the extent of about 200,000 acres can be effected annually), when the Maoris will all have entered into the enjoyment of the interest on the capital value of all their lands, and there will still be left a large surplus of land. Let this surplus from the commencement be represented by residuary certificates, and one-half handed to the Maoris and one-half to the shareholders in the London association, and let them share equally in the result. Let the Maori's share of the profit be applied as a sinking fund for the redemption of the certificates, and invested in perpetual annuities as before. 9. Let the Maoris li.vve a voice in the management of the scheme in the colony by electing representatives to act on the local boards of management of the association in the colony. 10. Let the Government be asked to sanction such a scheme by legislative enactment, so as to give the conditions legal force. It will be seen that the great principles of this scheme are, that it will insure the investment for the Maoris and their children in the course of a few years, on the very best security, the full present value of their lands; that whilst this process is going on they will equally divide the profits with the English shareholders; that, when the Maoris have been paid for their lands, the English shareholders will receive back their capital, and then Maoris and Europeans will share alike in all subsequent profits. Let the chiefs, if they approve these principles, at once hold a council of all their people, in order to take this proposal into consideration, and if they approve of it let us know, or if they have any modifications to suggest we shall be glad to take them into consideration*-. The end of that— James Ceoppee, M.P. for Kendal, Eeform Club, Pall Mall. Robeet Nicholas Eowleb, M.P. for London, Alderman of London, Gastard House, Corsham, Penrose G. Jultan, Late Crown Agent for the Colonies, K.C.M.G. and C.B. Cornwall House, South Kensington.
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