THE PREMIER AND NATIVE LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 8, 14 December 1906, Page 3

THE PREMIER AND NATIVE LANDS.

+ — - Owners to be Empowered to Sell. It would be difficult to over estimate the importance of Sir Jospeh Ward's recent speech on Native Lands so far as the King Country is concerned, and from the brief outline of his proposals to hand, the Government is evidently in earnest in its desire to have all Native lands opened for settlement, after sufficient has been set apart for each owner. The fact that at least some of the vexatious restrictions, hitherto existing on Maori-owned lands, are to be removed and the owners allowed to sell to private individuals, will be widely welcomed. At the same time we may rest assured that regulations will be drawn up safeguarding the Native interests very thoroughly, and it is to be hoped such regulations will be framed and administered in such a manner as to encourage the sale of the land. It is one thing to pass laws for a certain purpose, and quite another matter to provide machinery for the smooth working and carrying of those laws to the desired end. Of this, we have had very complete experience in previous Native land legislation. However, the Premier's specific statement on the subject should tend to inspire confidence as to the Government's intentions. In the course of his remarks the Premier said that it ought to be ascertained what lands are available, and the Natives should be safeguarded by having lands set aside properly for them, and after full provision had been made for the Natives themselves, they should have the right to sell in limited areas. The Government ought to consider the propriety of appointing a Commission of men, of the highest standing in the colony, and that this Commission should be one that the Natives had confidence in. The Native Minister should be on that Commission, and the Commission should be authorised not merely to inquire and examine as to land available, but also whether the present system is the best that could be devised, and, if not, whether it should be adhered to, or whether a system which he proposed should be adopted. This was: —

1. They should ascertain the owners of each block. 2. Ascertain the areas in toto. 3. Areas in homes, and the proportion cultivated by the natives. 4. After making full provision for the natives, what surplus is available for settlement.

5. Recommend how the surplus should be settled, and what may be open for purchase.

6. In case of timber lands or lands not easy of access by roads or railway, on what system settlement would be best.

7. The returns should be ready by June next, then the land would be almost immediately available, and the proposals placed with the Public Trustee, who would see that provision was made for roading. The funds would be placed to the credit of the individual Native, and the Public Trustee would pay interest on this to him for all time.

Under these proposals the colony would cease to be the only purchaser of Native land. These proposals, if carried into effect, would ensure the Natives a much larger income than they had at present, and they were made with a view to conserve the interests of the Natives, and to settle the lands of the colony. Every native would be able to get full value for his land. The Government wanted to be able to take such lands as were suitable for closer settlement.