TOWNSHIP TENURE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 445, 6 March 1912, Page 5

TOWNSHIP TENURE.

THE POSITION DISCUSSED

A COMMITTEE APPOINTED

The important question of township tenure was brought up for discussion at a well attended meeting of Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce last night. In introducing the subject Mr Mostyn Jones said that according to law the native owners were allowed to sell under certain conditions, providing that a fair price was arranged and that the native owners had other lands. Notwithstanding this the policy pursued by the native Land Board was directly opposed to granting the freehold. He cited two cases in which the president of the board had refused to recommend a sale or. the grounds that it was "not in the native's interest." In both cases the owners were getting more than the amount at which their interests were valued. They also had other lands on which the money they would receive could be profitably expended. He suggested that a conference should be held by representatives from Te Kuiti, Otorohanga and Taumarunui with a view to bringing the matter to a head. He proposed that a committee be set up consisting of the chairman, secretary, Major Lusk and Messrs Howarth and Martin, to go into the matter.

Major Lusk seconded the proposal pro forma. He said he did not disagree with the proposal. When the president said it was not in the interests of the natives to grant the freehold he was, perhaps, not far wrong. They had been forced into the position of making a town for the benefit of the native race, but there were other interests besides those of the natives to be considered, and a strong protest should be made. Mr Howarth said here was a difference between dealing with ordinary native lands and native township plans. In respect to ordinary native lands, upon compliance with certain formalities the boards were bound within certain lines. With respect to township lands the president was in the position of trustee for the native owner. He could recommend or refuse a sale more in the capacity of a trustee than of a judicial authority. His attitude in the matter was probably due to instructions received from the Native Department. Action should be taken to induce the department to alter that attitude. Mr Boddie said he agreed with Mr Howarth. They should in the first place agree among themselves as to what lines to adopt. They should find out the obstacle and should endeavour to remove it in a manner that would be beneficial to both native and European. It was no use setting up a committee to confer until they knew exactly what they were going for. They were trenching now on a question that involved the policy of the pre sent Administration and certainly that of the Native Department. They were all agreed that some action was necessary, but care should be taken not to ask the impossible. They should agree upon a definite objective and go straight ahead. He suggested a special meeting should be held to which the committee should report. The motion was altered to read that the commmittee should decide upon the best steps to be taken and report to a future meeting, when it was carried unanimously.