NATIVE LANDS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 25 February 1920, Page 4

NATIVE LANDS.

THE GOVERNMENT'S PURCHASES WHY SETTLEMENT IS DELAYED. During the period from March 31, 1912. to December 31, 1010, the New Zealand Government bought omtright 515.490 acres of native laud, and partially purchase.! f7,(HH acres. The area purchased outright in Auckland Province was ID3.J3S acres, and the area partially purchased in that province was 303.f>71 acres, including 318,910 of the iTeworu lauds. The position as far as the "partially purchased" hinds is concerned is not always understood by the public. The Government has bought the interests of certain natives in blocks of lands, but • tier natives retain their interests in whole of in part. Titles to these blocks liave not been individualised, and the Government, therefore, is not able to :!ta! with the bind ar all easily. Th» !: -.v pio\ides that neither the Crown :., i private individuals may purchase ii,v interest from » nath e if the purchase will Icav* ihe Maori landless. Tee Government may own half a hloeli ~f unlive lund, but be unable to fix boundaries. If it dees fix boundaries -.ml proceeds to provide road., and settle the land, the co.-t of purchasing the remaining native interests will largely increase owing to the added value. The Minister of Lands, (the Eon. D. U. Guthrie) is tit present paying a visit to the Urcwern Country, where he is s: .dying some of the difficulties that have delayed the settlement of much of the land purchased from the Maori? in recent years.