NATIVE LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1821, 6 August 1913, Page 8

NATIVE LANDS.

FAST BEING ALIENATED, , The report of the Under-Secretary tor Native Aii'airs on the working ot the Wative Land Courts and llaori Land Boards for the year was preseated-to tho House of Representatives by the Minister,' the Hon. W. H. Herries,' .yesterday.' The Under-Secretary (Mr. T. Yt T . Fisher) remarks upon the evidence of increased activity in settling old. Native titles for purposes of alienation. • Steps are now being taken, h-o says, to bring a largo number of these long-standing Native land titles up to date, and the majority of these"titics. or'orders. are without doubt being uplifted for one purposealienation, either by. way: of sale or lease. The Native Land Purchase Board held seven meetings during the year. Numerous offers were received and considered by the board. The actual purchases totalled an area of 31,035 acres; and negotiations are pending affecting a number of blocks. "In connection with the purchase of Native laud by the Crown under Part 18 of the Native Land Act, 1909, I would like to make some general remarks," says Mr. Fisher. "It is reported that persons acting as proxies have attended meetings (of owners) solely lor the 'purpose of endeavouring to defeat a sale to the Clown. Although no actual proof can be brought to bear, it is assumed that in soino oases a proxy represents the lessee of the land, or would-ba purchaser or speculator, besides acting lor the Native owners, and his knowledge and ability are brought (o bear by the us 3 of arguments that mil appeal to the Natives' imagination, and so defeat the motion before Clio meeting. I am of opinion that it would be preferable for the board to decide, under tho provisions of Rule 49 of the Regulations, that the appointment of proxies bo limited to other owners of the block, so that outsiders could take no part in tho meeting. It is further desirable, in tho larger blocks, where a number of owners aro concerned, and a motion to sell lias been defeated by a not fully representative meeting, that provision should exist for the Crown.to acquire individual interests. In respect of individual negotiations where land is held by ten owners or le--s. and same has been prohibited bv the Native Laud Act, 1909, private individuals, land agents, and others make it their business to ascertain tho owners, and interview them, with the object of being appointed the Natives' agents to negotiate tho sale to the Crown. I would state that there is no need for tho introduction of a. third party in the matter at all, except where the vendor actually requires independent advice." Mr Fisher shows also how complex is tho problem of getting individual subdivisions of Native blocks surveyed. Ho thinks, 'however, that as far as vested lands are concerned, the Maori Land Boards should tak« full- control of those subdivisional surveys and reading for settlement purposes. ' In conclusion, ho remarks that it will only be a question of a few moro years when the Maoris will, as a result of tho activity displayed by alienations effected during tho past, three years (for which period an averager o'i 500,000 acres per 1 annum has bsen alienated), be left with a limited area for occupation.