WEST COAST ROYALTIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1917, Page 4

WEST COAST ROYALTIES.

DISCUSSED TN HOUSE

(By Telegraph.—Special to Cuardian.)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 25.

'Dio vexed question of Royalties due to West Coast focal bodies, formed the subject of quite an interesting passage of arms in tlie House lost night.'

The Prime Minister, who "as in charge of the Bill/ wa s subjected to quite a cross-examination as to the effect of the OJi.ll, particularly Clause 7, on the claims made the deputation representing West Coast bodies, who had an interview wth the Premier during the week. Mr Colvin (Buller) was particularly in sistent, and was supported by Messrs Webb, Payne, Witty and McCallum.

When the Bill reached Clause 7, Mr. Colvin put a direct interrogation to the Premier: Does Clause 7 in anyway prejudice the. claims of Counties, to royalties and other moneys claimed by the deputation introduced to the Premier by himself, during the week?

To this question the Premier sympathetically stated that the Clause was a mere machinery clause, and would in no way effect or prejudice the claims of local bodies.

Mr. Webb asked the Premier to appoint a. commission with power to take evidence to settle, once and for all, what amounts were due by Government to the West Coast local bodies. Ho further stated that some of the ablest mining lawyers in New Zealand had advised that tlie local bodies had undoubted legal claim.

To this the Premier replied that lie admitted tjia'ti while the Local Bodies had no legal claim, being barred by Statutes limitation, they had undoubtedly a moral claim. In the meantime I lie had referred the whole matter to ' the Crown Law Office and a$ soon he gob their report lie would give his'reply to the deputation introduced by Mr. Colvin.

| l ife question as to the appointment ' of a Commission lie stated, would depend on the result of the Crown Law office enquiry, hut in any event such an appointment would have to be submitted and approved of by Cabinet os a whole.