NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 32, 31 May 1907, Page 3

NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

The sitting of the Native Land Commission was formally opened by Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, on Thursday last. Mr Ngata, M.H.R., was unable to attend in consequence of being weather bound at Gisborne. The initial business was mainly of a formal nature, and it was not until Tuesday that the proposals of the Maoris were placed before the Commission. Mr John Ormsby acted as spokesman for the Ngatimaniapoto Natives, and presented a document which embodied various suggestions agreed upon by the Maoris for dealing with their lands. The following is the text of the document submitted :

To Sir Robert Stout, President, and Apirana Turupa Ngata, Member of the Commission appointed to enquire into questions affecting Native lands and the conditions under which they are held.

Greetings,—We, the undersigned, members of the Ngati Maniapoto tribe, on behalf of ourselves, and our relatives, who are owners in the various blocks of land within the Rohe Potae, set out in Kahiti No. 14, dated the 14th day of April, 1907, respectfully desire to bring under your notice, that for nearly twenty-five years we have endeavoured to establish satisfactory methods of utilizing our lands. But, notwithstanding all our efforts, the laws affecting Native lands have proved harrasing and entirely against progressive settlement. The Maniapoto - Tuwharetoa District Maori Land Board, set up under the provisions of the " Maori Lands Administration Act, 1900," and its amendments, has been five years in existence, and while it has done good work, its usefulness has been limited by the many defects in the Act, and by the failure of the Government to provide the Board with the necessary funds for its successful working. Being cognizant of the purposes for which your Commission has been set up, and having heard your words of explanation and advice, we beg to submit the following suggestions as a basis upon which to carry out some reforms for the protection and effec- , tive settlement of our lands.

I. All lands to be administered by a board with extended powers, and under conditions similar to the provisions of Section 17 of the " Maori Lands Settlement Act, 1905." The members of such board shall be men having special knowledge of land settlement. The President to reside in the district.

2. Practical farmers to be appointed as instructors, and paid by the State. They shall travel through the district giving advice in practical farming, and, where necessary, supervise the expenditure of loans. 3. Loans under the " Advances to Settlers Act," be granted to Natives with the approval of the Board, and, when necessary, expended under its direction. Where Natives prove incapable, the Board may take and lease the land. 4. Papakaingas to be inalienable. 5. Land in suitable areas to be set apart for farming by the owners, and also reserves for minors.

6. Surplus lands to be leased or sold by auction. 7. The Board to have discretionary powers, either to withhold or to direct the expenditure of rents and the proceeds of land sales, so as to prevent squandering. 8. Exchanges of land to be simplified.

9. Sales of land to the Crown in this district to be discontinued. 10. All restrictions to be removed from lands of capable Natives.

Mr Ngata did not arrive until Thursday evening, and a number of matters were held over pending his arrival. The business of the Commission is now being pushed ahead, and a large number of blocks have been submitted to the Commission to be dealt with by sale, or lease by public auction on the lines suggested by the Chief Justice. The Commission will probably close its sitting at Te Kuiti on Saturday and adjourn to Taumarunui.