VESTED NATIVE LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 470, 1 June 1912, Page 5

VESTED NATIVE LANDS.

A RAETIHI DEPUTATION. MEETING AT TE KUITI. A deputation of settlers from the Ohotu block, Raetihi, consisting of Messrs C. L. Pemberton and McLean arrived atTe Kuiti on Wednesday als« for the purpose of conferring with local residents on the native land question. A meeting under the auspices of tha Chamber of Commerce was held in the County Council Chambers on Wednesday evening for the purpose of hearing the delegates. Mr E. H. Hardy, president, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance.

Mr Pemberton, in explainng the object of the visit, stated that the settlers in the Ohotu block were endeavouring to obtain the freehold of their sections, which were held under lease from the Maori Land Board. They had already petitioned the Government as a body and the petition had been referred by the Native Affairs Committee for the favourable consideration of the House. Nothing more had been accomplished, and they were now seeking the co-operation of other districts which were similarly affected with the object of getting the necessary legislation placed on the Statute Book. All tney wished was a just and equitable arrangement which would inflict no hardship on the natives and would give the settlers the right of obtaining the freehold and working for themselves. At present they were improving the block for the benefit of the natives, and were being penalised in various w ? ays which operated against the welfare of the settlers generally. When they took up their sections some road work in the nature of bridle track formation was being done, but as soon as the lands were taken up the work ceased. All work done subsequently was at the instance of the settlers who had to raise loan 3 for the purpose. Small subsidies had been granted by the Aotea Maori Land Board to assist them, but even this small amount was not expended as the settlers deserved. The luans were necessary to give access to the sections, and as a revaluation of the lands took place at the end of 21 years, they would have to go un paying interest on the loans and a higher rent resulting from the enhancement in value due to the roading and other improvements in the district generally.

The deputation also referred to the grievance which rose through unoccupied land adjoining the scetions not being liable for half cost of fencing, and the serious result which accrued by the unrestricted growth of noxious weeds Gn adjoining native lands. The settlers had come to the conclusion that the right to obtain the freehold was the only just remedy. The land 3 were held by the board in trust for the natives and the freehold could only be obtained by special legislation. The grievance was not confined to one locality and in coming to this district they wished to secure the co-operation of the residents in the various King Country centres with the object of getting a general petition from the various centres.

Mr Rolleston supported the deputation and suggested that Te Kuiti residents should join forces with the Ohotu settlers. Mr Mostyn Jones suggested that separate petitions be presented from the various centres, and proposed that the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce should take action in the matter. Major Lusk said the matter referred to chiefly affected the Ohotu settlers. There was no doubt a general movement was necessary to deal with all lands affected by such disabilities. The chairman said in the case of the Ohtu block he thought the only way to obtain relief was to get the native owners to withdraw the trust. The natives generally were willing to do this and deal individually for their lands. They were not. enamoured of the administration of the Maori Land Boards. The following motion, proposed by Mr Rolleston and seconded by Majc - Lusk, was passed unanimously:— "That this meeting of Te Kuiti residents join forces with the Ohotu settlers for che purpose of having the law altered in any case where it prevents the acquisition of the freehold from the native owners."