MOKAU CLAIMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 676, 29 November 1909, Page 7

MOKAU CLAIMS.

■ . DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. . : V priqte: •-SdUnister? took on ..Saturday 'to urge that, the old-stand-ing grievanco of Mr. Joshua Jones m connec;tipn:\riUi what are .known' as. tho Mokau lands should be fully inquired iiato, and a settlement come',to..; Memhers .of' both 'Houses ..took'part in tho deputation. 'Y ' ■ The Hon'. /J. 'E. ' Jenkinson .explained that { a committee set up by the Legislative Council' last-year, .recommended. that ■ the whole case should be inquired.into. '.The committee con- ' sidered Mr. Jones ' had been a considerable sufferer; and it hoped that something, would ■be .'done-to bring about a definite settlement.. Mr. Jones, had 'fissured them /.that representations had been mndo by itlie Oovornnieut in the direction of a compromise. ' The Hop!- George Jones, said, the dopntatidn wasprepared tt>. discuss ~thq 'question' exhaustively,: but 'Ul view of the' fact .that' Mr. Joshna : 'Jpjies'sasolfdtors 'hi\d informed them ; flint' ti .couferotice had.'l)e6u held, 1 and' that the repre. sontfitibns an(( 6ugestions mado wpyo i\ow being •considere4 by tho Government; they ,would re? frain from going into details. Sir Joseph Wan! said that lie had had a conversation:, that; morning.' with- Mr. Jones's solicitora-rMessrs. TreadiVeil: and Dalzjell-Ynnd he. Jiad -informed .them |: that, if they submitted , in', writing ,a. suggestion . which had .been put forward'ho would have tho matter considered at an early, meeting, of, Cabinet. The Govern'-, ''ment w-as'quite; prepared to do what was right, but ■ the" interests of the Natives had to be7con r sidorei} with those of Mr. Jonos. '.. The deputation intimated that it was thoroughly eatisM.with tho; reply. ..