THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1952, 7 December 1906, Page 2

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL

REMARKS BY PREMIER.

PRESS ASSOCIATION Wellington, last night. A gathering organised for the purpose of congratulating Df. Findlay on his appointment to the Ministry was held at She Town Hall to night. Thero was a largo attendance of the publio. The 800. T. W. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, presided. Sir Joseph Ward, in tli3 course of a epeech, said that the fiuanoial results for eight months of the financial year just passed were .£104,570 better than fjr the corresponding period of the previous year The present position with regard to native land could not be allowed to oootinue. There must be a system by which Europeans would be enabled to settle upon large tracts in the North Island in a manner satisfactory to the Maori population, For that reason he was not sure whether it would not be hest to appoint a Commission to investigate iho whole position of native lands, with the view to holding sufficient for Maoris, and setting aside the balanoe for disposition. Sir Joseph repeated the warnings he bed given in previous speeches regarding the yellow peril, and took the opportunity of denying the statement that on going to London he would not return to the 1 oolony. Sir Joseph had a very cordial reception, and Dr Findlay, in responding to wbat had been said by previous speakere was warmly applauded.