Crown Land Ruled Open to Selection

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 755, 30 August 1929, Page 6

Crown Land Ruled Open to Selection

FORMERLY FOR MAORIS IMPORTANT PROBLEM Areas of Crown land in the Auckland Province originally set aside for ultimate occupation by natives lacking possession of properties are now open to selection by European and Maori applicants. 'T'HIS new movement was not re- ■*' garded with favour last evening by the Akarana Maori Association. The point concerning the meeting was that landless natives had such a meagre hope of raising capital that they could not compete with Europeans applying to take np land development. The association saw these areas, once made available for Maoris, slipping away from Maoris who want to go on the land but have not sufficient capital. A letter from the Minister of Lands, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, refused a suggestion made by the association urging the withholding from selection for settlement of the Koberoa block, near Mercer, and other Crown land formerly set aside for occupation by landless Maoris. Referring to the association’s request, which concerned areas in the land districts of Auckland and North Auckland, Mr. Forbes said he had obtained a report from his department on the Koheroa block. He had been advised that the block had been withdrawn from selection temporarily for the purpose of reofferiug it at reduced prices. Judging from the present demand for land, Mr. Forbes said it was probable that the area would be disposed of. “MAORIS ELIGIBLE” “Maoris are eligible to apply for any Crown land opened to selection,” said the Minister. “They are expected to comply with the usual conditions of application and occupation. Your request cannot N be complied with; there is more unused native land, especially in North Auckland, than Crown land.” Mr. James Rukutai, the chairman of the association, and Mr. George Graham are to frame a reply for Mr. Forbes, stating that equal treatment of applications from Maoris and Europeans will by no means solve the problem. The reply will say that landless Maoris have not the capital to give them a chance of success equal to that afforded the Europeans. The association adheres to its suggestion for the withholding of the opening for selection. OWNED ALREADY It will be pointed out to the Minister, in reply to his statement that there is more native land than Crown land unused, that the native land is possessed by specified owners, and landless Maoris have no claim on the holders. Landlessness among Maoris is a growing problem. Impoverished native families are frequently driven to the city; this fact contributes to the miscegenation of Maoris and Asiatics. Confiscation of the properties of militant natives after the Maori War, purchasers of native land for preposterously small sums in colonising days, an absence of reliable records over hundreds of dealings, counter-claims for property, the best method of paying the Maori sellers—these are a few of the difficulties facing those who seek to solve the tangle. Taranaki and the Waikato are particularly involved. Dozens of Maoris may have claims to the possession of a single property. Outlining the position concerning the Maoris at Orakei, The Sun recently mentioned how some natives squandered fortunes when they received bulk payments. Similar waste of money took place in the King Country. Maori sellers, carried away by the sudden influx of wealth, could often be seen parading townships, in the light of day, resplendent in evening dress. Their money soon went. Judicious investment by the Government would have been a wiser method of payment.

How the Government will find means to place destitute Maoris, really eager to occupy land, on properties remains to be seen.