The Commissioners evidently realized the difficulties. The world needs the
produce of these rich lands and we refuse to admit that British or other civilized settlers are committing any crime in trying to make the land productive. The mass of the native population is childlike in being unwilling to work except to supply its own immediate needs. That could generally be done by female or child labour while the men could remain idle or revert to their former principal occupation of fighting. To educate the present generation into desiring any higher standards of living, or into realizing that it is worth while producing more than they need at the moment, is difficult if not impossible. Com- pulsion is repugnant to our minds. The Commissioners give their approval to one form of eon* namely, public works such as roadmaking by the labour of natives, living near by, under the authority of their chiefs. The imposition of a hut-tax on natives in the reserves in order to compel them to come and earn wages by working for settlers is a very different matter. Opinion here is watchful and it would never tolerate a declension from decent standards in the treatment of the natives.
Previous page
