A HUGE CLAIM.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1924, Page 4

A HUGE CLAIM.

COMPENSATION FOR MAORI LANDS. OVER TWELVE MILLION ACRES

INVOLVED

CTIRTSTCHL'RUH, Nov

Twelve and a half million acres of land in the South Tsland are involved in the claim of the famous Ngaitahu tribe, which is to he heard by the Native Land Court, at Tuahiwi. near Kaiapoi, on Decenilrer 19. Tlie claim, which is for £354,000 compensation from the State, is nearly three-quarters of a century old and it has lieen the subject of protracted negotiations with successive Govern-

merits oif New Zealand. .Something approaching finality was reached a few years ago when a Royal Commission of which the Chief Judge of the .Native Land Court was president, investigated the matter. In its report the Commission found that there were twelve and a half million acres of land tiiat should have belonged to the Maoris and its value was estimated at £3-31,000 The Maori people agreed to accept that amount in settlement of their claim and at a large hni held at Tnaldwi in August, 1922. the Native Minister, the Hon. ,T. 0. Coates, was asked by a representative deputation to give some indication of the Government's decision regarding the matter. The Minister, in his reply, stated that £331,000 was a lot of money and took a good deal of finding. He felt that it was impossible at tlie moment to ask the Minister of Finance to hand them such a largo sum out of the exchequer, hut it was quite possible that arrangements would be made for banding out portions of the money spread over a period of years. Ho could say no more, except- that the Government had ideas which he hoped would meet with the satisfaction of the Maoris when made known. Payment was already lioing made for nursing and medical services and for other tilings making for decent living. The following day the Natives hold a meeting at which the Minister's reply was discussed and several speakers expressed the opinion that fhe Maori people could lest assured that the claim had been accepted by the Government. The gathering which will be held at Tunbiwi next mouth in connection with the hearing is expected to be attended by several hundred Maoris and Mr TL ■\V. Urn, M.P., is making arrangements for their accommodation.