MAORI MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 481, 14 April 1909, Page 2

MAORI MEETING.

(DY TBWJGIUI'II—SrECUI. COIIRESrOKnENT.) Auckland, April 13.. It is expected that one of (ho biggest Maori gatherings ki "record will take place at Waahi, near Lluli'tly, on Tlmrsday, wlion some 2000 Natives Mill assemble to consider questions of importance to tho Maori race. Tho' lion. Mahuta hati'Jcoiivciiod tho gafherinir ami most of tliclbudiiiK tribes liavo signified,'their intention"!)]' taking part in the great korero. The objM't. of tho meeting will bo principally to eonfoi*ifpon (ho question of scttlin" unoccupied NaTivc lands, and it is proposed that the legislation passed last session shall at nnco bo puMnto operation. Tho leaders of tho liiovontciij l ,- it is understood, will urge the immediate Wdbption of tho system by which, one-third \\t' tho Native land shall be conserved for tin" Maoris, one-third leased, and the" remaining : tliird sold. In order to expedite 'the 'scUfeiient of tho vast unoccupied areas it will iUjjp" be proposed that a reusiis be (n'kon, VhVi'oby it shall bo accurately ascertained how.'many Natives there arc in each country <lr"'disirict, and what the exact area of the Native land is. A further proposal is that when this information is secured legislation 1 " should bo brought to bear by which the "Natives still holding unimproved land'.will In! '51111)001 to extra taxation. The Hon; A. T.'.Ngata will he and a telegram''was sWit by Mr. lienaro Kaihau, M.'P., to the Vrime 1 Minister, Sir. .loscph Ward, inviting Mm to\ attend. Sir Joseph telegraphed that-he was'much interested in the gathering allnut tt tako place at Huntly, and that he will what Ministers can be present. . . ;/;.