NATIVE LANDS

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 169, 1 July 1909, Page 5

NATIVE LANDS

Expediting Settlement.

With a view to expiditing the settlement of native lands, the ActingPremier has made arrangements with the Survey Department to carry out the subdivision of blocks of Maori land. The cost will be charged against the land surveyed, and will be paid either in cash or in land.

There has been a big demand for native land since the existing Maori land policy came into operation three or four years ago. The Hon. Jas. Carroll says that under the present policy the Government has settled something like two million acres of nativs land, which b now in occupation. Referring to the statement made by Mr Hogg that settlement of native lands in the King Country has been retarded by speculators, the Hon. J.

Carroll said that immediately lands were purchased by the Crown they ■ cr.me under the administration of the Crown Lands Department. A lot of development work* had to be done, and every lease and sale had to be approved by the Native Land Board, whose duty it was to sec that the terms were fair and that the area limitation under the Land Act was strictly adhered to. Speculation might i creep into every transaction, even in 'Crown lands; all the Government could do was to sec that the limitation was rigidly adhered to. Every applicant for alienation of Maori land had to make a statutory declaration as to the amount of his holding. The Land Boards satisfy themselves that these statements were correct, and if the Boards recommend sales they must be approved by the Governor-in-Council.