NATIVE LANDS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2478, 3 June 1915, Page 3

NATIVE LANDS

THE PRESENT POSITION KEVIICWED BY HON. ff. 11. HENRIES (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, June 1. A statement of the present position in regard to the Native land policy of the Government was niado by tho Minister of Native Affairs (the lion. W. tL. Berries) in an interview. Jn referring to the great activity that has been shown during the past year Mr. Herries said: "The sections of the 1913 Act, which practically amalgamated tho Nativo Land Courts and the Maori Land Boards camo into operation on March 31, 1914. As intho ease of all new arrangements sonic littlo time elapsed before full working order was obtained, but in a veryshort time the benefit of the amalgamation was felt, and the system is working admirably.

In Native land purchase considerable progress lias been made. An area of 06,000 acres has been purchased during the war, and proclamations forbidding private alienation have been issued over another 300,000 acres, interests in which have been already obtained. Purchases have been and are being made specially along the route of tlio proposed railways on the StratfordMain Trunk line, on the TaurangaGisborno line. In the latter case the titles of the Waikare-Mbhaka blocks, which have long been a stumbling block, have been satisfactorily settled by legislation, and large interests purchased in the more important of the blocks covering -an area of about 45,000 acres. Purchase is going on in the Native land north of Gisborno, where leases held by Europeons are now falling ill. Largo blocks here have been proclaimed and are now being purchased. and contain some of the finest grazing land in the Dominion, and are verv suitable for cutting up. It is hoped that before long tile East Coast will carry a large population of European 'settlers. Nothing has been done where the Natives are desirous of farminc for themselves, and the blocks that havo been incorporated by the Native owners for farming purposes have boon exempted from the operations of the 1913 Act.

Finality haG at last been reached, said Mr. Herries, in the ascertainment of titles to the vast Urewera country, and the Native land purchase officers have been instructed to continued purchasing any interests that can be purchased in tjie blocks in which, the Crown lias already interests. When all the interests that can be purchased have been obtained, the interests of the non-sellers will be out out, the blocks surveyed, and deolared Crown lands. Numerous offers to sell have been leceived from Native owners in other portions of the TJrewera country, and the Crown is prepared to deal with those offers provided a price can be agreed upon. Until the Crown has consolidated' its interests, said the Minister, it would r.ot be wise to throw open the land for private alienation. Indeed, the surveys are not far enough advanced to permit of private persons buying. , , Another great change, the Minister went on to say, is taking place oil the West Coast of the North Island owing to the operation of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Act, 1913. The old l'arihaka wall, he said, has been taken down, and tho West Coast Reserves was being partitioned bv a Court presided over by Judge Jack. By this means the unleased portion of the reserves can be settled by the owners with secure freehold titles. Besides i this, in the 18,000 acres, tho leases of which came-due lately, fresh leases have been given to last for ten years, after which tho land l-eyerts to tlie Maori owners, who will then enjoy the advantages of the partition. Meanwhile the Crown can purchase, and is only waiting for the partition to be completed to deal with the numerous offers for 6ale that have boen received. The same action is being taken in the Native township. Steps are being taken to acquiro for the Crown the freeholds of Otorohanga and a portion of Taumarunui. Negotiations have also been going on with regard to To Kiliti.