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varying in amount, in different eases, would only alter the character of the responsibility which the Government would be obliged to undertake. 44. Portions of land would remain unsold for a length of time, balances of the account would remain undivided among them, and it is not difficult to foresee other causes of dissatisfaction, which might arise out of their relative position of agent and principal, in a transaction spreading over a long period. 45. Alluding again to the price or consideration to be offered for native lands, as a means of procuring it more rapidly ; under ordinary circumstances and when applied to transactions of the kind between Europeans, sales could generally be effected, if the intending purchaser was liberal or extravagant in his offers ; but the rule does not apply, equally, to the natives as a people. Individuals may be found among them, who have learned to view land as a mercantile commodity,— which character it assumes in a Colony more than elsewhere. In old European countries attachments to hereditary property exist to such an extent, that very tempting offers would not induce some proprietors to part with what had long been associated with the history of previous generations. 46. This feeling is no less strong among the Natives of New Zealand, and every sentiment of the kind is brought into activity whenever it is proposed to them to sell land, forming so important a part cf their history, and for which their forefathers have fought and bled. 47- It is known that almost every spot chronicles some w 11 remembered tradition, and when they are asked to part with these places to strangers who cannot be supposed to enter into their feelings on the subject, and, who they see destined at no very remote period, to place them in a secondary position in their own country, it is no wonder they hesitate to take the step. 48. Another cause operates in creating an unwillingness in the minds of some of the Natives to sell certain portions of land, or even to enter upon the consideration of the matter. There are many delicate points connected with rival claims, which, as long as neither party exercise any very decided act of ownership are allowed to lie dormant, but which would be called forth and give rise to serious quarrels immediately it was understood that either patty meditated a sale of the land so circumstanced. 49. The price with them is a secondary consideration. If they can make up their minds to sell, it is a proof that they are impressed with the necessity of the new order of things which has been introduced, and which they know they will ultimately have to conform, or that seeing advantages to be derived, they by the sale of land court its influence More or less, every transfer of land may be looked upon as a national compact, and regarded as binding both parties to mutual good offices. LEAGUE NOT TO SELL LAND FORMED AMONG NATIVE POPULATION. 50. In proof of this the Natives to the north of Auckland, who have for the longest time been acquainted with the Europeans, and who, by repeated acts of this kind, have tacitly given in their adhesion to the European customs, are still willing to sell land for the extension of settlements, while those Natives not brought into such close contact, but living in the less frequented parts of the country, south of Auckland have formed a league to prevent the spread of European influence, and refuse to sell their lands with that avowed object in view. This league, commencing, as before stated, south of Auckland, at about fifty miles from the Town, at a branch of the Waikato River, called Maramarua, embraces nearly the whole of the interior of the Island, and extends to the East Coast, and to the West Coast, south of Kawhia. 51. It is not supposed that this combination will long hold together, as no advantage of a practical nature to the Natives can be derived from it. PRESENT MODE OF PURCHASING LAND FKOM THE NATIVES BY THE GOVERNMENT. 52. "With reference to the present mode of purchasing land from the natives the Board consider it the best adapted, under all the circumstances of the country ; to meet the difficulties with which the subject is surrounded. 53. They do not however consider it incapable of certain improvements and they submit some leading rules for the purchase of land which they would recommend to be followed. They are aware that part of what is set forth on their recommendation is already in operation, but what the Board would aim at accomplishing is, in the first place to bring about, if possible, a Registration of all nrtive claims, accompanied by the names of all claimants; a greater publicity, among the native Proprietors, of every purchase under negotiation, with the intention of bringing forward rival claimants, before the purchase is made and not allow them to wait until after the money is paid