NATIVE LAND TROUBLES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 53, 26 November 1907, Page 2

NATIVE LAND TROUBLES.

THE. COURT AND THE DEPARTMENT. (by TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL correspondent.) Mastertan, November 25. Strong exception continues to be taken by some prominent Natives to the (liliitoi'ineys oi the Native Lands Department in dealing with recommendations which have been made by the Native Lund Board. Time after time the Board lias made recommendations; after the most careful inquiry has shown that the law is being complied with, that the Native whoso application is before the Board has enough land left for his maintenance, and that the purchase-money 'is over and above 5 per cont. of the Government land valuation. According to the' opinion expressed by several influential Wairarapa chiefs, the recommendations are forwarded to the Native Minister and forgotten, intentionally or unintentionally, _ until at the last they bccoino void by effluxion of. tiuie, and the whole business lias to be gone over again at tho expense of the Natives and the general public. It is stated..that thoro are dozims of .recommendations which have been made and which have lapsed through the "tailioa" policy of the Native Lands Department. "This," say the Maoris, "is the way the' Government is saving; our people.?' The Natives contend that the lajv _ bo amended so that tbo recommendation of the Native Land Court should have the sAine power as that of a Supreme Court judge.' If this were done the business would be free from the charge of political influence,' which, the Natives declare, is very noticeable in connection with recommendations made by the Native Land Court.