THE LAND BILL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8747, 22 February 1907, Page 2

THE LAND BILL.

Per Pj css Association Waiboa, February 21. Messrs Carroll, Fraser, Ngata and the Judges of the Native Band Court were entertained last night. The Native Minister explained the forward movement in connection with Maori land legislation and the constitution of the newly created Land Boards. The Government, he said, had determined on a progessivo policy in Native matters. They would settle Maoris on tie., land and, where a surplus remained, would dispose of it to Europeans in the interests of the Natives. He re* ferred to tho Land Bill, cutting up large estates required for settlement, and increase of graduated land tax. He deprecated the cry of the perpetual leaseholders for tho freehold. Settlers under this tenure were placed on the land by Government and, when assisted to prosperity cry out for tho freehold and right to buy their holdings at the original valuation. Government did not intend to break its contract with the people in the disposal of these lands, and why should individuals shirk carrying out thoir engagement under contract. The Government only held Land in trust for the people, and would not be disturbed by the clamour of lease-in-perpetuity tenants for freehold. Be limitation of areas, be said it w T ould be less complicated to introduce a graduated land tax and put by the Land Bill for a> few years until the country was more prepared to receive.it. What Government wanted was land for the people. He indicated the probability of the Land Bill being dropped. Mr Fraser declared himself an out-and-out freeholder, and declared that the cry for freehold was too strong for any administration to combat.

Mr Ngata declared himself a leaseholder. The Maoris had now more land than they could use, and were willing to lease the surplus to Europeans for a term, and if, when the term expired, tho Maoris increased, they could resume. Ho said the difficulties of getting a title through old methods was responsible for Maori indolence. Tho Maori in many cases could not get on his'own land, yet ho required land as much as Europeans. If given the opportunity of settling, the Maoris would make good :farmers. All they wanted was incentive, and indolence would disappear. All the speakers were weU received. 1 The native Appellate Court gives its decision in respect of various blocks, into the administration of which it has been enquiring, on Friday. Ministers Disagree, Per Press Association. Wellington, February 22. Tho statement made in a telegram from Wairoa that the Native Minister in the course of his speech in that town indicated the probability that theL'and Bill would be dropped was brought under the notice of the Acting-Premier by a Post reporter this morning. Mr Hall-Jones informed the interviewer that Government had no intention of dropping the Bill, which he considered was in accordance with the wishes of the great majority of the people, and of the members of the House. He could not credit that the Native Minister had made the statement attributed to him, and he felt sure that his colleague had been misreported.