Our Member.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 231, 20 October 1905, Page 2

Our Member.

DOINGS AT WELLINGTON. During the discussion on the Maori Land Question tn the Hoqse last Friday night. Mr Lang said that in bis district i there were large areas of native lands of DO earthly Qse ’to the natives, and yet people mask) and outcry about depriving the Maoris of their lands. These lands were also a distinct detriment to EuropAftn settlement, as they not only prevented the settlers from making mads, -but they also formed a hot bed for noxious weeds. The native laud legislation of the present Government bad been an utter failure. His district, and more particularly the King Country portion of it, was getting very rapidly settled, but if thi# had been ia the South Island it would have been settled long ago. Mr Seddon : What settlement was there in the King Country before we > came into office ? Mr. Lang ; Before you came into office there were native difficulties, but were got over, and the natives for the last 12 or 13 years have been anxious to deal with their lands, but the legislation of the present Gorernment has prevented them from doing so. Mr Seddon : Your representation of that district has kept back the settlement of the native lands. Mr Lang said be glad that he was of so much importance, but' he re ; pealed that it was owing to the neglect of the Premier that the matter bad been kept £aok so long. This Dill was not on the same lines as the Premier’s Rotorua speech. It went in an entirely opposite direction, and the important clauses had been inserted by the Native Affairs CdiftmiUea,