UREWERA LANDS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 285, 26 August 1921, Page 6

UREWERA LANDS

CONSOLIDATION NEARING COMPLETION PLANS FOR ROADING The negotiations between th< Maoris and the Government regarding i-ie Urewera lands continue to make excellent progress, and tho full acceptance of the scheme of consolidation is practically assured. One of the big difficulties in the way of the settlement of the Urewera problem has been removed by the Natives agreeing to give 20,1100 acres of land to the Government as their contribution towards the cost of reading the block. The Maori owners are not in a position to make cash, payments, and it would not have been reasonable to load tho land purchased by thq Government with the whole cost of roads that will open up the remaining Maori blocks as well as the Government blocks. The Minister of Lands, in answer to a question on tho subject yesterday, said that the discussions between the representatives of the Government and the Maori owners had been characterised by moderation and a desire to roach a just settlement. The scheme of consolidation could bo regarded as settled as far as the northern end of the Urewera block was concerned, the terms being satisfactory to both the Government and tho Natives. Consolidation had been effected also in the Te Whiti area, where the Government purchases and the remaining Native interests had been assigned to definite blocks. Tho officers of the Lands Department and the Native Department were at present negotiating for a block of 26,000 acres north of Lake Waikareraoana. This block of bush country was required for tho conservation of the waters of the lake. Ho thought that an arrangement satisfactory to all parties would be made.

The Minister added that he and the Native Minister wero gratified at the progress that had been made. Difficulties that had been regarded as almost insuperable wore disappearing, and a complete and final settlement of the Urewera problem seemed to be in sight. Much work would have to be done in the reading of the block, and care was being taken to ensure that, the roads were laid out in a manner fair to the Native owners as well as the Government. Two of tho officers at present engaged in the scheme of consolidation would be kept in tho district for some time to direct' the reading system.