THIS LAND IS MY LAND

The way people view land and property is a very cultural thing. For instance, the Aboriginal people of Australia have a very different concept of land ownership to that of the 'white man'. Since the Native Title court case, a token acknowledgement is made of this, but I doubt that the most people have a real understanding of the Aboriginal's spiritual relationship with the land.
There is no doubt that the Norfolk Islander has a view of land and property that is different again. It is not only a product of his Anglo/Tahitian roots, but has also been shaped to a large extent by the history of the community since 1789.
When the Pitcairn community moved to Norfolk Island in 1856, they believed the island had been ceded to them for their exclusive occupation and enjoyment. Now the legal eagles will argue endlessly about whether in fact this is what happened, but there is no doubt that this community was led to believe the island was to be theirs, freely given.
Many of the Pitcairners had been reluctant to leave Pitcairn, but had come for the greater good of the community. The fact that each family was given freehold title to around 50 acres of land on Norfolk Island helped them to settle and feel they had a future here.
It was puzzling and disappointing to the community when a large parcel of land was handed over to the Melanesian Mission in the 1860's. They had no choice but to accept this situation, and made the best of it.
Meanwhile, they began to clear and cultivate their own blocks, growing for their own needs, and just a little for the limited trading possibilities open to them. They came in for criticism from the colonial powers, initially for their preference for cultivating in a co-operative and communal fashion, and secondly because they did not clear and cultivate large areas, only what they needed and could manage. In some ways, their thinking was way ahead of its time!
In 1896, the practice of making grants was ceased, and thus land ownership became even more important. In 1906, the sale of land to outsiders was permitted for the first time, and new settlers were allowed to take up Crown leases.
Over the years, a certain amount of buying and selling has taken place, and in the social upheavals of the 1960's, when the island was opened up more to the outside world, a few families and individuals regrettably allowed large portions of their land to pass out of their hands. It is something no one wants to happen again.
Today, in island families, land is greatly valued. This is also true of many mainland families who have been here for the long term. It is not a case of enjoying the power and control and wealth that land ownership gives. It is not acquired for speculative purposes. It is not necessarily prized for development potential or as a financial asset. In fact, it may cost Norfolkers quite a lot to maintain their properties and keep them fenced and free of noxious weeds.
On Norfolk Island, land is heritage. It is something you hang on to at all costs, so you can pass it on to your children, and your children's children. It is something that ensures the continuance of the rights of the Norfolk Island people to call this island home. It is something that your offspring and heirs can come home to when they have finished with their overseas education and travelling, or even after their retirement.
It is what enables the Norfolkers to put down roots, and maintain their strong sense of belonging to this place.
It is not necessarily a special relationship with a particular property or place....although I have heard both the Rocky Point people and the Cascade residents refer to their little part of the island as God's own country. It is more a case of maintaining a firm and longstanding relationship with the island that they have always believed is rightfully theirs.
Tomorrow, I will look at the implications the actions and plans of the Australian government will have on land ownership and island heritage.