NATIVE LANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1998, 6 February 1907, Page 4

NATIVE LANDS.

Tho Native Lands Commission, recently appointed -by the Government for the purpose of preparing an exhaustive report upon matters in connection with the native lands of tbe colony, opened its proceedings at Christchurch Supreme Court last week, under tho presidency of tho Chief Justice, Sir ltobort Stout. The Hon. J. Findlay, the Attorney-Gen-eral, represented the Government, and Mr. C. P. Skerrott appeared on behalf of the native interests. The commission ordering the inquiry was first read. The matters for inquiry were: AVliat areas of native lands were not occupied or profitably occupied, by whom they were owned, to what purposes they could best be put, what areas should be set' apart for individual occupation by Maoris or as communal lands for the purposes of tho native race, or for settlement by white people ? His Honor said his colleague had been unable to reach Christchurch, yet he considered it better to meet without him, however, in order to let it lie seen what the objects of the Commission were. The work of the Commission would be onerous. There were no less than 7,, 500,000 acres of lands still belonging to the natives, and 3,000.000 acres were totally unproductive. The problem of dealing with this huge area, of which a great pronortion was valuable, had long occupied public attention. Facilities were being given for the fullest inquiry as far as maps and statistics were concerned. He had ma le a request for the attendance of a barrister to represent the Maoris whenever necessary, and the Government had acceded to the request. Such an officer was regularly employed in the Courts of Franco.

The Hon. .Dr. Findlay. AttorneyGeneral, quoted figures showing the distribution of the native lands in the colony. A lost of the 9000 square miles was fit for cultivation, hub it had been neglected ever since the colony was inhabited by the white people, indicating an appalling, economic loss. With the greatest profit to the colony and to the natives at large, a proportion of the land could be settled by Europeans. It was recognised by the Government that a long and arduous task lay before the Commission, and the Government would render all the assistance possible. Mr. Skerrett had been appointed by the Government as active legal adviser to the Maoris, and All'. Fraser as his assistant. If it was necessary for anyone to represent the Crown he himself would do so. He hoped that the Commission would solve a great and perplexing problem, and earn the blessings and gratitude of both races. Mr. Skerrett said it was impossible to exaggerate the importance of a scheme for the hotter utilisation of the unprofitable native lands. He appeared as the legal representative of the native owners, to adequately protect their rights and interests, and the correct disposition of their property. He' gathered that the basis of the reference was that regard was first to be had for the rights and requirements of native owners, and that after that the lands not required were to be made fit for settlement. He said that the weighed opinions of native owners, loyal subjects of the King, should not only he given every consideration, but all possible weight, subject to the conditions necessary to secure the ownership of lands against fraud and carelessness. His Honor said he was very pleased that Mr. Skerrett had been appointed to the position of the natives’ representative. __