NATIVE LAND BILL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1878, 11 October 1913, Page 6

NATIVE LAND BILL.

AN ALIENATION CLAUSE. The principal features of the Native Land Lawß Amendment Bill, introduced in the House of' Representatives yesterday, were described by the Native Minister (tho Hon. W. H. Hemes) as reported in another column. ! An important alteration in tho existing law, to which the Minister did not make detailed reference refers to tie protection of landless Natives. Section 220, paragraph (c) of the Act of 1909 provides that no alteration shall be confirmed by a Maori Land Board or Court unless it is satisfied that no Native will, by reason of the alteration, becomo landless within the meaning of tho Act.

This is amended in the Bill by a provision that aberration making a Native landless sliall not bo confirmed except in cases where it appears to the satisfaction of tho tribunal dealing with tlie application for confirmation that tho land which is tho subject of aberration is not, having regard to all the circumstances, likely to bo a material means of support to its Native owner, and except in cases where the Native aberrating is qualified to pursue some avocation, trade, or profession, or is otherwise sufficiently provided with a means.of livelihood.

' Another new clause provides flint where tho tribunal dealing with an application of confirmation of lease of Native freehold is satisfied • (a) That unless such land is loased It will lie unused by the Native owner or owners thereof; (b) That such lease is, in the circumstances, for the benefit of tlio N.vtive owner or owners. Such tribunal may confirm such lease, although some of tho Native lessors mav not hnvo sufficient other lands for their support.