CLAIMS BY MAORIS FOR SURPLUS LANDS

Chronicle (Levin), 26 February 1947, Page 2

CLAIMS BY MAORIS FOR SURPLUS LANDS

AUCKLAND, Feb. 25. Xearlv 100 Alaons from all parts of the Aui'hland district and North Auckland, crowded the board room of the Auckland Electric PoAver Board for the opening of the first full sitting of tlie Royal Commission to inquire into and report on claims by Maoris regarding eertain Jands known as surplus "lands of the Crown. The total area involved in possible ' claims for compensation which date baclc to the foundation of the British colony in New Zealand, is about 200,000 acres. Evidence was conlined to an outline of the historical background up to the period just before the signing of the Treaty of .Waitangi. Shortly after the opening of the sitting a strong appeal was made by the Maoris present, both individually and through their couusel, for an adjournment of the whole proceedings to Kaikohe to allow.the main body of the uorthern Alaoris to hear all the evidence. After consultation, however, the Commission decided to proceed with the general outline of argument by counsej without prejudice to its repetition in any form desired at a sitting to be lieid later at Kaikohe or any other speciiied centre in the north. The Commission is presided over by Sir Michael Myers, other members being Mr. Hanara Reedy, of Rpforua, and Mr. . A.iM. SamuelK.of.,Aucklan'd.,'„,Coutif sel assisting tlie Commission for the Crown are the Crown Solieitor, Mr. V. 11. Meredith, Messrs F. MeCarthy and A. O. Darbv. Mr. II. O. Cooriey, of Tauranga, Messrs C. A. Hennan and L. W. Parore appear for the Maoris. Maori iuterests are also watched by Mr. W. Cooper representiug the committee of the North Auckland tribes. "We have been appointed to sit as a Conimission to inquire iuto some important matters of history ivhich go a very long way back, " said Sir Michael after thanking tlie Maori spokesmau for a traditional greeting. "You will see when the Commission is read that we are asked directlv to inquire if the Maoris, or ratlier descendants _ of the Alaoris who lived about 100 years ago, liave any right'S in equity and good conscience', that is, any rights at all in connection with what we call surplus lands. We are directed to inquire that if we liud tliat the Maoris have rights, what those rights are." The hearing was adjourned.