NATIVE LAND BILL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 217, 16 December 1909, Page 5

NATIVE LAND BILL.

The Native Land Hill was rrj-.ortcd by the Native Affairs Committee to the Ho ise this we?:k. The committee made about 100 amendment?, including the addition of new clauses to the measure. Most of the amendments I are immaterial to far as the policy of the Bill is concerned. Clause 24 as amended gives the 'Court jurisdiction to decide in any proceeding whether a person ia a Na- , tive or European. Section 131, dealing v.. ith the consolidation of the in- ! teres<9 of Native owners, is amended to require that the Court shall make all its inquiries before the confirmation of the scheme of consolidation by the Governor-in-Counci I. Subsequent orders will be made as a matter of course, without sitting in open Court, and no appeal will He from such orders. It is provided in Clause 142 that Native freehold land shall not be available for payment of debt of a deceased Native. An amendment made provides that where a testator expressly charges his Native land in his will with payment of a debt that charge, shall be effective. Section 176, which imposes Native succession duties is amended to conform to the Death Duties Act, so as to prevent repetition. A new clause. No. 180 a, provides that the trustees for a Native under disability may borrow money on the • security of land or trust property with the leave of the Native Land Court. Clause 192 which deals with limitation I of area, is amended so as to make it | clear that a person may acquire by j ease an undivided share in any Native land. There is an amendment to j clause 218. so as to give the Supreme ; Court the power to issue a mandamus ; where a board or court refuses confirm- ! ation of any alteration on the ground that the alteration is contrary to equity or good faith or to interests of the Natives alienating. Clause 237 is amended by reinstat- ! ing a sub section to an amendment of the Native land settlement made last year. The new sub-clause provides that in dealing with areas vested in Maori land boards for general settlement in accordance with the report of the Natvc Land Com- ; mission, the proportion between sel- | ling or leasing in any one area of a • half shall be maintained.

An important amendment is made to section 272, so that the Minister for Finance is empowered to advance to any one board in any one year a som not exceeding £50,000, the sum originally proposed being £30,000. An amendment to section 295 provides that land recommended for Native settlement now restricted from general alienation may be taken out of that restriction by resolution of the owners. The clauses relating to the incorporation of owners have b»en considerably amended. One of the new clauses, 315 a, permits of the grouping of several blocks, so long as they form a continuous area, and provides that they may be included in one order of incorporation. This will obviate the necessity that has often arisen for cancellation of partition orders, on the ground that sacb partition did not facilitate settlement of the land. By grouping them under on • committee with ample powers of alienation settlement will be furthered. A new clause. 333 a, enables a body incorporated with the consent of the Governor-in-Council to borrow money from the State lending Departments for farming land, discharging debts and encumbrances. and improving land. An amendment to clause 340 affects lands that have been vested in the Maori Land Boards hitherto for the purpose.of leasing only. Many large blocks were brought under the boardi by virtue of the Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905, in which the board has no power to sell such lands. The present amendment provide that, by resolution of the assembled owners, the boar J may be authorised to sell the whole or any part of such land. The part of the Bill dealing with charges of Native lands by the Crown has not been altered much, but a new clause, 362 a, provides that where land is owned by more than 10 owners the Crown, instead of buying from the individual owners, will have to go to the assembled owners. It i< understood that certain amendments to this Act were approved by the Committee, and will be incorporated in a Bill, of which the Native Minister gave notice today.