NATIVE LAND MALADMINISTRATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10060, 30 January 1909, Page 4

NATIVE LAND MALADMINISTRATION.

(Per Press Association-.) WaDgazioi* January 29. Strom; remarks were nuuie in the Chamber of Commerce this morning concerning the native laiwl laws and native hind administration generally. Application had Ixen made for the appointment of a resident judge of the Native Land Court at Wartgantu and more frequent sittings of the Court, but this was refused by the Chief Justice, who eaid Wanganui iiad already been treated the same as other places, and he had only a limited staff. One speaker said there were already twelve jmlges, who were tumbling over one another. The Mayor said the trouble was due to tire fact that the whole of the native laws were in such a state or cha<*> that no one understood then, and the system of dealing with native lands recked with corruption. Until the whole system was cleaned oat from the bottom it wouM never do any good. Mr H»>gan. M.l*., said every member <A the kat.-w how native matters had l*cen drifting for which Parliament v.-as to bir.TUj. Very few of the South Island members took any interest in native matters, which le:t t<> six or members <~>t" the North island to «ital v.tih. L nti! the w. ight of Pariiam' nt wn.- on native no:hin;i »TiV'..tiv»- v/ou'd l>; done. w He Ulieved the Premier would make a change before long, arjl retem*! to the work *n? r,»nsoUdating the native laws now coi:r„* r -n. It was resolved to interview the Xnt.ive and invite the co-operation *>: et!:.-r chambers with r» view ijt c.trinz a rcc Mont judge and regular sitting.-; the Oj-irt tixed n.s m t?;" Snpreni-: Court.