NATIVE LAND SETTLEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 44, 15 November 1907, Page 7

NATIVE LAND SETTLEMENT.

THE HIIjTJ REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE. IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS. Tho Native AlTairs Committee Itavo made a large number of amendments in the Native Land Settlement Hill. A new clause lias been added exempting lands from tho operations of the. Act as follows; — This Act shall not apply to land situated in Uie South Island or in Stewart Island ; land vested in n Maori Land Hoard under any other Act; land which is subject to or administered under aiiy of the following Acts---The Thermal-Springs District Act. 1881;

tho West Coast Settlement llesorvcs Act, 1892; the Nativo Townships Act, 1895; tho Uiowera District Native Reserve Act, 1896; the Knpiti Island Public Reserve Act. 189/ ; the East Coast Native Trust Lands Act, l!)i:.\

Section 3 has been amended so as to make the Ant applicable only to land upon wliien tho Commission has already reported. Under the heading " Leases " a now sub-clause I as been added, providing that the Board may set aside any allotment for application i-i the first instance by landless Maoris. Jo siclion .30, regarding valuation to lessees for improvements, now sub-clauses have been added providing for the setting aside out of the revenues received , such sum as the Nativo Minister directs to pay off such cl argon. If on tho expiration of the lease the amount so set aside, together with tho awiDiiilations of interest thereon, exceeds ih'i amount of the valuation, tho-amount of siich excess shall be paid by the Board :c the' peipons entitled to tlie revenues of tho land. A new clauso has been inserted regarding the reinvesting of land in Maori owners as fellows:—

At any time after the oxpiration of fifty years from the passing of- this iAct the Governor shall by Order-in-Council revest any area of land which i 3 then' subject to this part of this Act in the Maoris who are beneficially entitled thereto, if bo is satisfied that tho following conditions liavo been fulfilled (1) That the Maoris so beneficially entitled, or a majority of their number, desire the said land to be so revested in them; (2) that tho said land is not subject to any lease or contract of purchase; and (3) that no monoys are charged on the revenues of the said land under the authority of this part of this Act. Regarding sales to tho Crown a new clause has been inserted as follows: —

(1.) Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, it shall be lawful for tho Board to sell and convey to the Crown, at a price to be agreed upon • between tho said Board and tho Governor-in-Council, any land vested in the Board by virtue or this Act and set apart for sale in accordance therewith.

(2.) Tho prico of any land so purchased shall bo payablo out of moneys from timo to timo appropriated by Parliament for tho purpose.

( (3.) All land so purchased by tho Crown shall be administered and disposed of as Crown land under tho provisions of tho Land Act, 1592, and its amondmonts. •

This will moan that such lands will bo available under the optional system or as grassing runs.

Part 2 of the Bill, which deals with land for occupation by Maoris has been considerably amended. Briefly stated tho new provisions are to cnablo the Board to deal with .Native lands according to tho wishes of tho Maori owners, tho Board acting-as agents for tho owners. Another important' amendment has been made in reiard to tho administration* of tho Act. Tlig is to be charged against the revenues and tho cost (before not limited) is now limited to 5 per cent. The balance of tho cost of administration is to be a charge upon the consolidated fund.

The .amount expended in making surveys, laying off and forming roads, and constructing bridges, shall bo subsidised out of moneys from time to timo to be appropriated by Parliament out of tho Public Works Fund to tho extend of ten shillings to one pound.