NATIVE LANDS

Evening Star, Issue 21751, 20 June 1934, Page 12

NATIVE LANDS

FURTHER SITTING OF COMMISSION EVIDENCE ON LEASES OF RESERVES [Pir Ukited Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 20. Farther evidence from the DeputyNative '.trustee (Mr King) on the administration of the settlement reserves was heard by the Native Affairs Commission to-day. Mr King said that the complaint that the reserves were not leased to the best advantage showed complete lack of knowledge of the position. So far as the native reserves were concerned, they were all subject to leases when the administration was transferred to the Native Trust Office ? and as these leases had a perpetual right of renewal the Native Trust could not do anything to alter-the existing rights on the'current leases. The method of assessing the rent was fixed by statute and could not be departed from. The complaints which had been made were in general terms. If reference was given to specific instances where lands had not been leased-to the best advantage opportunity would be afforded of referring to the official documents to set out the actual position. When opportunity arose for leasing privately owned land the usual procedure was to get the, land inspected by an official supervisor, who would recommend what rent should be reserved and also any particular covenants which ought to be brought into a lease. When it was considered advisable to do so lands were leased by public tender. Every lease outside the reserves had to be confirmed by the Native Land Court. Thus, if land had not been leased to the best advantage the court, which was the reviewing authority, was not responsible for such a state of affairs.