NATIVE LANDS RED TAPE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 14 July 1913, Page 4

NATIVE LANDS RED TAPE.

A KAWHIA INSTANCE. A Kawliia settler, in enclosing his replies, writes:— "There is also another drawback to progress in this district which does not apply to tho whole colony, and that is Native land. In this county of Kawhia, quite two-fifths is . Maorknvned land, which pays no rates and is quite unimproved, and a great nursery of blackberry and sweotbriar and other noxious weeds. People cannot negotiate for tho sale or lease of these lands, owing to tho multitudinous owners and the'expense entailed. As an idea of what tho expense is, I will give an instance near here: A Native block of 800 acres of land, in two parts, is owned by soinc 2G owners. iTwo of tho owners each wished to lefiso tho portions.' Ono took COO acres and the other 200 acres. Tho consent was unanimous, and the leases wero obtained for 42 years. Tho bill of costs was shown to me, and was for .£50." . Answering the questions, this settler says :— I.—No. All tho teachers in this district aro town-reared, and appear to know nothing about farming. 2.—Yes, the products being wool, butter, and stock, they get fair returns. 3—Our servico is principally by water, oxcept with regard to livo. stocs. The roads (so called) aro in such a condition that stock camxmly bo moved in tho sum-, mer. • 4.—Postal servico fair, telephono services very backward. s.—Any benefit from shows is indirect. 6.—Yes. The Department of Agriculture is of direct benefit. 7.—No. Tho farmers aro too scattered, with bad roads and little local jealousies, to organise for buying : and selling. If organised they would obtain great mutual benefit. B.—No renters except Government leaseholds and Maori leases'. These are mostly making a fair living. 9—Very little labour required except bushfellers, who aro hard to got. 10.—Yes, as far as I can learn. 11.—Better communication, so as to improve social intercourse and vary the monotony of back-country life. In a few words, good roads,and more telephones.