MAORI DOOMSDAY BOOK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 420, 6 August 1908, Page 3

MAORI DOOMSDAY BOOK.

Speaking at the banquet to Mr John Stevens at Shannon, on Monday night, the Native Minister (the Hon. J. Carroll) said the value of the work of the Native Land Commission could not yet be gauged. It was not possible to do so until they were in full possession of all the facts that had been dealt with. They hoped that the legislative effect of it would be to settle once for all the question of a complete record of the native lands and how they are held, in j which district they were held, the number of owners (collective and individual), the number of natives in each district, what areas were under settlement as distinguished from waste lauds, what areas were held by Europeans under lease and the areas under mortgage. This would form what might be called a Doomesday Book. The Native Commission was comprised of the the Chief Justice and one of the native members, both of whom were eminently qualified for the undertaking. These gentlemen were given access to all the Government offices, and every opportunity was given them of collecting information that would be of use to them, and when they had finished they would have a record of incalculable value to the country. About twenty - five reports had been received from the Commission with regard to three million acres. After these were considered steps would be taken to have this land offered to the public for settlement by way of sale or lease. The Commission would also define areas in every district which were to be held by the natives themselves. They would further set aside areas in each district such as would be suitable for natives who wished to engage in farming pursuits. The natives who were engaged in these pursuits should have the same advantages as Europeans. This was fair ; both should be placed on an equal footing, and what was done for the Maori should be done for the European. (Applause), The rest of the land would be offered to the public by auction or tender, part of it under lease and part under sale. They wanted to close down upon private dealings, and no transactions, either for lease or sale, of Maori lands would be permitted, except by public auction or tender. No large individual holdings were to be permitted. Up to the present everything had been done to get the Maori to part with his land. This, he trusted, would be done away with, and he saw no reason why the Maoris and Europeans should not work together tor the good of the Dominion,