PARLIAMENT'S WORK.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 197, 7 October 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT'S WORK.

Native Land Legislation. tt is understood that radical amendments in the Native Land Legislation of New- Zealand wilt be embodied in the Bttt to be brought down this session. No fewer than TO Acts passed over a long series of years will be consolidated and many new provisions aiming at the speedy settlement of Native areas at present lying waste. will be incorporated. As far as ran be ascertained, the rights of the Native people will be fully guarded, but ample provision will be made in the direction of meeting the needs of the white race, and ensuring occupation of many huge areas which are known to be amongst the finest territory in the Dominion. The precise nature of the Government's intentions has not been disclosed, but it seems certain that better provision will be made for the settlement of Maoris on tbetr own lands, more expedition in the individualisation of titles and more rapid disposal of the business of Native I.and Boards. The new Bill, it is stated, will really mean commencing with the Native problem de novo, and the provisions of the measure, as a whole, wlil be based on Ibe experience of years of tortuous legislation. It will be th«r endeavoor of the Government to provdie something which, it is hoped, will be of lasting benefit to both races, and the community at large. By carrying out a vigorous Native land policy, the necssity for acquiring private estates may be lessened for a time at least. Particular attention will be paid to the findings of the Native Land Commission, and in ail cases the legitimate rights of the Natives will be conserved. It is understood, however, that the Bill will require reasonable industry and resourcefulness to go hand in hand with Maori settlement.

Further, it is understood that the Native lands will be subjected to local rating, and that provision will be included in the Bill for the Advances to Settlers Department lending money to Maori settlers. Here, again, privilege and obligation will be required to march hand in hand.

The precise intentions of the Government in respect to tenure will not be known until the Bill is introduced. While the measures will deal with Native lands as a whole, special provision will be made for dealing with such areas as the East Coast Native Trust lands, the Urewera Native Reserve, and the West Coast Settlement Reserve. These areas have been the subject of separate legislation in the past. The Bill is expected to make its appearance early in the session and is at present in the hands of the law draughtsman. For some months now the authorities have been working upon it. and it is known that the assistance of an important conference of State officials was focussed on the proposals for a considerable time.

The annual report of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Frozen Meat Company •hows a profit for the year of £28.925, in addition to which concessions upon the produce brought to the works have been allowed amounting to £2513. Stock treated during the year numbered: Sheep, 246,000; cattle, 780 D; calves, 244. The Wellington Harbour Ferries Company's steamer Doco, Captain J. Abram, ?6 tons net, which left Wellington on the Tth September on a second fishing expedition to the Chatbams, has not arrived there op to the time the steamer Alexandra started on her return trip to Wellington on Saturday night, and fears are entertained for the safety of the Duco. The Alexandra took down a cargo of coal for the Doco.