NATIVE LAND REFORM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81890, 11 December 1906, Page 4

NATIVE LAND REFORM.

■SPKKCII BY THE I'KKMIKK

In his s|K-coh at the social gathertendered to t«e Hon. Dr. Kindiav, Attorney-General, by the citizens in Wellington I T'lornlay evening, the Premier made an important reference to the question of tli- i- 'd for speedily settling the native bind problem. ftr Joseph Ward introdi'.-cd the subject by saying there were many things in Xew Zealand polities not of'a pailv character to which he would allude. His friend .Mr. M'Xab had nothing to do with native land. lie wanted to say this, because he had lately been referred to as a dangerous man. But he wanted to say one word about tiie native lands of the colony, and if the Native Minister were there on the platform he was sure he (Mr Carro'R), woiild subscribe to the proposition tie was going to put forward. They could not allow the native lands of the eolony to lav dormant. The people should be able to settle on ttc vast native territory of the North Island, after the needs of all the Maoris had been fully satisfied. For this reason he was not sure that the Government should not grasp the nettle and appoint a commissioner of high standing fur the purpose of investigating the whole position in connection with the native lands of the colony, with a view to helping the Maoris themselves and setting aside the proceeds from the excess for the interests of the Maoris for all time. The public must have noticed the steady growth in the increase of the country's exports, and if this was t j go on some solution of the native land problem was imperative. 1U be lieved the question was so complicated that it would be of value to the Maoris, and certainly of value to the Europeans, for the purpose of having the native lands of the colony settled to appoint a commission with full powers to examine into this great and important question. They therefore hoped that next session when the matter came up for settlement, as of course it must, they would be able to finally deal with Che matter, which at present was in a most unsatisfactory position. .