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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

2. Effect upon the Maori and European People

2. Effect upon the Maori and European People.

One effect which I have noticed myself, and heard remarked on by others, and which is indeed quite; perceptible, is that there is evidence of an, increase of industry, more economical habits, and a better mode of living amongst the individuals and families who have obtained Crown grants for their farms. This improvement I have a hope will be more progressive and more general as the Native lands become more and more subdivided. When Natives have received grants for their lands, they seem to have no hesitation in, as far as their means go, expending both money and labour in making improvements of a more permanent nature than they had previously done, and not a few have already made a respectable progress in this way, considering their means. I have also not unfrequently heard Natives, on receiving an order for a certificate of title, remark with great satisfaction that they now felt secure in the possession of their property, as, whatever others might do, their land could not be taken or confiscated so long as they themselves behaved as loyal subjects. I think this feeling among the Natives a matter of no little importance. It shows they have faith in the protection which the grant of the Crown, imparts, and that they in consequence feel bound by circumstances and their own interest not to commit any very serious overt acts in opposition to the Government.

The Natives in the northern districts, according to my experience, come into Court in the great majority of cases with the bonâ fide purpose of procuring Crown grants for farms, generally of moderate size, for themselves; they nevertheless do sell land to Europeans, and the ability to do this, given by the action of the Court, is felt as a great benefit by both parties, but particularly so by the intending settler, as it enables him to select exactly the land which suits his purpose; and, though no very extensive land sales have been made, I think the gradual settlement of Europeans, on not very extensive blocks of land, is the most desirable way of settling the country, particularly when the land has been purchased by the settler directly from the Native owner, as it brings the parties into contact in the manner least likely to cause dispute or danger, and most likely to lay the foundation of relations of friendship and mutual advantage.