NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 43, 16 August 1907, Page 3

NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

Sitting at Napier. The Native Lands Commission, consisting of Sir Robert Stout and Mr Ngata, on Monday completed another sitting at Napier. Evidence was taken as to the Otawhao and Rakautatahi Blocks. With regard to the former, Mr Skerrett said it appeared to be the wish of the Natives to permit the present leases to run out, and, after reserving the necessary land for their own use, to offer lea.ses again. Mr A. L. D. Fraser referred to the position of lessees in re Higgins. Twenty or thirty of'these leases, he said, were held by struggling men, who had paid a considerable amount of money to have their leases validated.

Sir Robert Stout said the small man should not be affected if he made a declaration. He also pointed out that the position in which a number of men found themselves, was due to reckless advice given by solicitors, who seemed to think that Parliament would affirm any bargain made with a European. The fact had been brought under the notice of the Commission over the whole of the North Island. In regard to the case raised by Mr Fraser, the man could conform with the law if he made a declaration now. Sir Robert Stout said, further, that the Native land legislation was in the biggest mess that any legislation of the world was ever in, and this was due to the Native Lands Department having, on somebody's representation, inserted general clauses to the legislation to meet special cases.