CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 255, 8 October 1884, Page 2

CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES.

At a meeting held last evening there were present: Mr. W. K. Chambers (Chairman of the County Council), His Worship the Mayor (Captain Porter), and all the members of the Borough Council and Harbor Board. His Worship stated that the Conference had been called together to deal with certain matters in connection with the Land Bills now before the House. Mr. W. K. Chambers explained that some time ago it had been by some thought advisable to call a public meeting to consider the two bills now before Parliament, but it was found impose ble to do so, principally on account of the shortness of the time at tlnir disposal. Mr. Locke’s bill was down for ns second reading mi Wednesday, and therefore Captain Porter, Mr. Graham, and him. e f had come to the conclusion the best thing to cl • was to call the Conference together and get a resolution passed. It was generally understood that they wanted facilities for dealing with the Native lands of the district. In disclosing the matter amongst themselves it had been thought advisable to ask Mr. Locke to withdraw his bill if it was found impossible to get it through this session (which at the present time appeared very unlikely), and endeavor to get the Government to introduce a short bill clealing with the matter in a temporary way. He had sent a telegram to Mr. Locke, as follows:—“Porter and I have called meeting of Conference. No time to call public meeting. Opinion here neither bill will pass this session. Can you arrange with Government to pass short Act this session embodying clau.-e 2 of yours, and withdraw your bill in its favor. Resolution to this effect probably pass to-night. Wire your opinion at once. —W. K. Chambers.” To which Mr. Locke replied : — “ Fear Government not pass anything this session. Rees opposing unless bis committee clauses inserted. Pass resolution as you proposed on grounds session so near closing. Stick to my bill as foundation. —B. Locke.”

Mr. Chambers took this to mean that some good could be done by passing a resolution and sticking to Mr. Locke's Bill as a groundwork. It was on those grounds they met that night. C ause 2of the Bill referred to was as follows:—“Any person, whether European or Native, who has been acquired, or who may hereafter acquire, a share or shaies in any block of land that has or heieufler may be adjudicated upon by the Native Land Court, and whether such block is or shall be held under Crown grant, memorial of ownership, or certificate of title, may apply to the Native Land Court for a subdivision of such land, so as to determine the extent of his interest therein.”

Mr. A. Graham pointed out the advantages he saw in Mr. Locke’s Bill, particularly clause 2, which gave power to individual owners to ask for a subdivision of their shares. At the present time such an application could not be made to the Court, although one individual who had not sold could go into Court and upset the deeds and titles of all who had put chased an interest in the block. Mr. Locke’s Bill did away with such a state of things as that, and also gave the Court power to fix the age of minors, a very important provision. Dealing with succession claims was made easy , and as far as he could see the whole Bill facilitated the working of existing Acts in accordance with what be believed must have been the intention of the Government when they framed the Act of 1873. Wi Pere’s Bill simply meant handing the land back to committees, and they all knew what that meant. Mr. Locke by his telegram, appeared to think a resolution would be of some service. He would move, “ That the Conference approves of the principles of the Bill introduced by Mr. Locke, but owing to the shortness of the session, deem it improbable that any Native Land Bill can be passed satisfactory to a majority of the House, and the Conference considers it advisable to ask Mr. Locke to withdraw his Bill, and urge upon Government to pass during the present session a short Act to facilitate a settlement of titles by the subdivision of lands, including the interests of Europeans, whether acquired under lease or purchase. That such a measure in operation during the recess would greatly tend to facilitate beneficial legislation in the next session.” It was important they should also urge on the Government the necessity of doing something this session, as Mr. Rees going down appeared to have given them an excuse for shelving the question. Mr. Chambers referred to clause 27 of Wi Pere’s Bill which he did not think anyone would approve of. He should like to Know why the landed aristocracy should be exempted from paying their debts by statute. The Mayor—lt is one of the greatest frauds in connection with the present Land Act. Mr. Townley asked which Bill the Natives were in favor of. Mr. Chambers said they had not seen either. The Natives were very liable to be led by the nose by one or two men with plenty of front. He knew one Native in Hawke’s Bay whose father had not originally any more land than lhe other individuals of the tribe, but he was appointed one of a committee of ten, and his son was now drawing an incom** of £40,000 a year, while the other members of the hapu were paupers. After some further argument the resolution was carried unanimously, and the Conference adjourned.