Post by Kiwi Frontline on Nov 4, 2020 9:24:34 GMT 12
Northern Advocate 4/11/20
‘LOST’ – OR SOLD’?
John Richards (Letters 29/10/20) should not rely on The Negotiators for knowledge of history because claims that Maori land was “lost” cover the reality that Maori sold the land.
Mr Richards cites grievances by Te Roroa and Ngai Tahu.
A group of Te Roroa sold the Maunganui block in 1876 and in 1976 another group who claimed to descend from that group claimed that a “reserve” on a farm owned by Allan Titford had been left out of the sale.
Despite evidence to the contrary, the Waitangi Tribunal agreed with the claimants and Titford was forced to sell his farm.
Ngai Tahu sold most of the South Island in 10 transactions over 20 years.
A complaint about reserves not being marked out led to settlements in 1868, 1906, 1944, 1973, 1997, with top-ups in 2012, 2017, and 2018, with further arbitration payments in 2014, 2015, and 2018
History shows that Maori land owners sold land and profited, and subsequent generations complained and profited.
I ask you to remember this the next time you hear complaints of nefarious misdeeds by “the Crown”.
The Crown’s actual misdeed is a visible lack of courage when it comes to Maori grievances.
GEOFF PARKER, Kamo
www.kiwifrontline.nz/media/letters-to-the-editor
‘LOST’ – OR SOLD’?
John Richards (Letters 29/10/20) should not rely on The Negotiators for knowledge of history because claims that Maori land was “lost” cover the reality that Maori sold the land.
Mr Richards cites grievances by Te Roroa and Ngai Tahu.
A group of Te Roroa sold the Maunganui block in 1876 and in 1976 another group who claimed to descend from that group claimed that a “reserve” on a farm owned by Allan Titford had been left out of the sale.
Despite evidence to the contrary, the Waitangi Tribunal agreed with the claimants and Titford was forced to sell his farm.
Ngai Tahu sold most of the South Island in 10 transactions over 20 years.
A complaint about reserves not being marked out led to settlements in 1868, 1906, 1944, 1973, 1997, with top-ups in 2012, 2017, and 2018, with further arbitration payments in 2014, 2015, and 2018
History shows that Maori land owners sold land and profited, and subsequent generations complained and profited.
I ask you to remember this the next time you hear complaints of nefarious misdeeds by “the Crown”.
The Crown’s actual misdeed is a visible lack of courage when it comes to Maori grievances.
GEOFF PARKER, Kamo
www.kiwifrontline.nz/media/letters-to-the-editor