NATIVES AND MINISTERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1830, 2 May 1888, Page 3

NATIVES AND MINISTERS.

(rmt PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wakqanui, May 1. A Native meeting was held at Putikl to-day, wh^n the Premier, Native Minister, and Colonial Secretary were present, as also were Messrs B.illance, .Hutchison, Wileon (-Vf.H.R 's'), aud Bryce (ex Native Minister), Proceedings were opened with Bpeeßhes by Top : a, Kemp, Wi Parato, Tai whang o, nnd Carroll Sir fl. A. Atkinson told tho Natives it was quite useless to ask for a special Parliament of their own, but Parliament would bo glad to give them reasonable privileges. He was followed by tbe Hon F. Mitchelson, who, m his remarks, eulogised the Natives for their williugnoFS to assist the Government m legislating m their Land Bill. They would give the Nativo3 po^er to sell or lease, but if there were more than twenty owners m one block, they wonld not be allowed to sell until the titles were individualised. But the Natives must retain sufficient for themselves and families, Lawyers would bo forbidden to practise m the Land Courts, and tho land would have to be surveyed before it passed . tho Court. Copies of tho measure would be distributed m the course of another week. The . Ministers were then enter- I tamed at dinner, and left by tho 1 20 p,m, traio for Wellington.