REPORT OF NATIVE COMMISSION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 42, 9 August 1907, Page 2

REPORT OF NATIVE COMMISSION.

The report of the Commission, set up to investigate the position of the Native lands, has been presented to Parliament, and presumably we can look for legislation in the direction indicated during the present session. The report deals with the whole question on a reasonably broad basis, and so far as the suggestions affect the King Country, they appear to be on lines fairly acceptable to both Europeans and Maoris. It is interesting to note that among the general recommendations of the Commission, the suggestions presented by the Ngatimaniapoto Natives have been accepted in their entirely. The report sheds some light upon the backward state of the work administered by the various branches of the Native Department, and not the least important are the recommendations which urge the speedy completion of surveys, and other which have so long been hanging fire. The iproposal to set up a responsible Board, and endow it with comprehensive powers to carry out the recommendations of the Commission, is merely what has long been advocated by the most advanced and progressive Maoris, and if the suggestion is adopted, and the necessary legislation made complete, such a course will go a long way towards solving the whole difficulty. It is hard to believe, however, that the Government will, in the present instance, grant special powers to a subsidiary body, and make it practically independent of political influence. In the past, much of the trouble and expense, to say nothing of the vexatious delays, for which the Native Department has become notorious, would have been prevented had the Maori Land Boards been granted full power to act, instead of being hampered by the necessity of referring the most trifling matters to headquarters. If the same policy is pursuecbin connection with the Boards proposed by the Commission, little good can be looked for. Exception has been taken by some as to the tenure under which the Native land is to be thrown open, and the small proportion to be offered for sale under freehold, is held to indicate a fatal weakness in the proposals. However, it is broadly agreed that provision should be made for the Natives to farm a portion of their lands, and part with the surplus. As far as the King Country is concerned, if this course was pursued there would be no surplus worth considering. Moreover, the interests of minors have to be considered, and in cases where these interests n°c involved, it is hard to sec how the kinds could be dealt with except by leasing. In any case if the proposal to remove restrictions from capable Maoris is carried into effect, there will be a very considerable increase in the area to be made available for dealing with under the freehold tenure. In the main, the work of the Coin mission should be of great benefit. It remains for Parliament to legislate tip to, or in advance of the recommendations, in order to secure substantial and permanent benefit to both races.