Native Land Commission.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43365, 29 August 1908, Page 2

Native Land Commission.

SITTING AT TE AROHA.

(Before Sir Robert Stout.) The Native Land Commission, held at Te Aroha from tho 24th Augus , 1908, and 25th, 26th, and 27th, respectively, resulted in the submission of a question of policy as to how they should work their lands so . as to he within the bounds Section 11, of the Treaty of W&!tangi, the following—details being contained therein . 1. That they should appoint their own Committees, r . 2. That they are totally against selling their lands, and the policy- urged by Henare Kaihau’s report re selling thtir lands. 3. They themselves will appoint their own Committees to carry on all necessary arrangements. 4. They will find their own money _ to support work. , 5. They object to report .submitted by Henrae Kaihau. 6. Some of the Committees are already appointed. 7. All laws and Acts now in force do not apply to their Is ids. . * 8. They do no not agree to sell their lands. . The above we say and submit under Section 11, of the Treaty of Waitangi. Hereunder appears all lands we reserve as Taingakawa Te Waharoa s representa'i/es. Signed — Anaru Eketone, Rewi Mokena, . Tani Fuiiakoiaua.

The following is the report with the list of lands owned and belonglmg to the undermentioned tribes ; Ngati Rangi Ngati Maru Ngati Raukawa Ngati Haua Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Kohukura Ngati Ngapuhi Ngati Te Wetu Ngati Kotara

and several other tribes headed by Taingakawa Te Waharoa were submitted to the Native Land Coinmis* sion, stating that in dealing with their lands

1. They be empowered to appoint their own Committees. 2. They will find money to support the work. 3. Committees are already appointed. 4. They object to a report stating sale of Native Lands by H. Kaihau. 5. AU laws and Acts new in force are not to apply to their lands. 6. They absolutely object to the sale of Native Lands.

These they maintain are priviledges granted by Section 11. of the Treaty of Waitangi. Sir Robert Stout said in reply that ho would need to consult his colleague, Mr Ngata, then a report whether it will be in favour or against will be sent together with your report to the Government. Maru Eketone, speaking on behalf of Taingakawa Waharoa and the people assembled, said: —Tho report submitted is the result of a long ad strenuous consultation carried with the wish of the majority, but that the greatest wish of tho Natives is to preserve their lands, farming same to advantage. Though the report politically does not meet with the palatable aiews of a learned man it certainly, c -nveys their great wish to save their lands and not to sell for the mere curiosity of disposing of lands as previously practised by members of various tribes.

Tiangakawa Te Waharoa for the first time has urged the question of tilling the soil with his people, the result of which is the clearing of 200 acres of gorse covered land at the Waharoa settlement (visited by His Excellency the Governor, the Premier, and the Native Minister, at the great meeting of March Bth last), 2,000 acres of well farmed land at Ngaruawahia district, owned by the Ngati Tamanui, Te Huati, and Kotara, of about 200 acres land ploughed at Te Au o-Waikato, Morrinsville, owned by Taingakawa’s people, and several native farms now at Tauranga, Hauraki, Maungatautari, Tapalpa, Parawai, Kihikihi, Tauwhare, Te Aroha, and other places. For several years past nothing has been done, this being the first opportunity afforded by our leaders. . I am of opinion it would be fair to give the people a trial, that they should be protected for a certain period to see if they would continue work they have started, and that the commission would give all possible assistance in that direction.

Sir Robert in reply said It is the wish of the progressive pakeha to see their Maori friends make use of their lands so that they will get the full benefit for the good pr’their

children, that the young natives should learn to save money and be-

come good farmers. That the Government would be asked to send

practical men to advise the Maoris as to proper farming. That whatever the report of the Commission may be they will urge the question of assisting the Maoris to farm their lands. He was pleased to meet Taingakawa Te Waharoa (and his people) the son of Wiremu Tamehaua, the great noted chief.