NATIVE TOWNSHIPS BILL.
Mr- Jennings Explains. At last night's meeting of Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., dealt with some of the statements made by speakers at. the recent protest meeting held in Te Kuiti. One speaker had said he should have known by the result of the meeting of King Country delegates at Taumarunui what the opinion of this district was. "When I spoke at that meeting," said Mr Jennings, "I regretted to see differences of opinion. Several speakers took different views. One speaker said very few people could purchase the freehold at Taumarunui. A full report of the Native Township debate appeared in the press, and I did not have one word of objection. I concluded that when no resolution or objection to the Bill was sent to me the Bill was satisfactory to Te Kuiti. Another statement was that I had gone against the wishes of Te Kuiti. I had done no such thing. The Bill has many redeeming features. When clause 19 came jp, Mr Herries moved an amendment and I supported it. I knew the feeling of the House. It was impossible to get the right to the freehold for individual lessees, and I moved my resolution to bring about as near as possible what was equitable. The Government can purchase. It can issue debentures to pay off the owners, and sell to lessees. There were 30 in favour of my amendment and 34 against it, and had two members been true to their convictions I should have won. The whole clause is being carefully considered by the Crown law officers, so as to meet the wishes of lessees. It is not an easy matter to deal with these native townships and it can only be done by the owners agreeing unanimously with the Government to sell direct. In other townships it is an easy matter. At ■Utiku there is only one native owner. In Te Kuiti there are many owners. I wish to assure the chamber that I not only supported Mr Herries' amendment, but I made one myself. I only ask that when a meeting is held fair consideration shall be extended to your member. One speaker had suggested a deputation to M.P's. It is not the Northern members but the Southern members who want educating. If the ! division lists are analysed three-fifths of the Southern members will be found to be against us. I hope the careful attention being given by the Crown ! law officers to clause 19 will lead to a I better result." i The president said it was a very ! difficult question to solve, and there ' were great differences of opinion, as | even in the House there were lease- ! holders and freeholders on- both sides. I It was gratifying to know that the I Government was having this section | of the Bill re-considered. I A hearty voce of thanks to Mr Jeni nings for his attendance concluded the j meeting.
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King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 299, 1 October 1910, Page 5
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495NATIVE TOWNSHIPS BILL. King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 299, 1 October 1910, Page 5
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