POLITICAL TOPICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 14 February 1907, Page 2

POLITICAL TOPICS

A CHAT \\ ITII Till-: ATTOIIXKY CKXEIiAL. 'J he /jiv.iUit being the llrst visit of Dr. JunPav to .New Plymouth since liis accession to the office of Attorney General, a News reporter sought him out at tiie White Hart Hotel on Tuesday. to obtain his views on current political topics. Dr Findlay, though liaving spent a heavy day in Court on legal business, and having a banquet on his list of engagements for tha' evening, courteously afforded the newspaper man a brief interview. l, Yes," ho admitted, ''l have had a busy time since 1 accepted office, and there is a good deal to be done before Parliament assembles. All [he Aiinistcrs are fully occupied with preparatory work lor the session." As a subject of particular interest to Taranaki, the reporter nought infor mafion 011 the native, land question. The Attorney-General realises Ihe importance of promoting settlement and emphasized the Government's doire to deal with this question on liberal and conprehensive lines. "Of course." he said, •'much depends upon the findings of the Commission, whiea has commenced its labours in Jlawko's J Jay, where the problem is as press ing as anywhere in the colony. Broadly speaking the object of the Commis- , sion is to ascertain the present aud future requirements of the natives, with a view to setting aside a sufficient area in the respective districts for their needs; to report upon the area available for European settlement, recommending which blocks should be sold or leased, and gradually deal with the whole utilisation of native lands to tiie best advantage. A report will then be brought before Parliament, in such a form as will enable the legislature to expedite giving the recommendation# statutory effect. it is hoped that large tracts, to be reported upon by the time Parliament meets, will be available for settlement this year. I may add that of course reports will be made from time to time as each block of lasd is dealt with by. the Commission so that settlement will proceed, so to speak, in 'the wake of the Commission's work."

Dr. Findlay mentioned that tin> Native Minister is throwing all his en ergy into the work of the Commission. Splendid progress lias been made in llawke'B Hay and the Chief Justice, predicts very good results. "From what I have heard/' said Dr Findlay, "there seems to be a large quantity of land in Hawke's Bay which the Maoris do not require for" future use and which in itiw past lias been tin; subject of considerable litigation involving a loss both to the natives and Europeans. It is hoped the Commission will obviate all this waste aud that the forecast of Sir Joseph Ward will be justitied by the time Parliament meets." Dr Findlay said lie could hardly give an indication of the date on which tile Commission will visit Taranaki. but hi: knew there was a good deal of work for the Commission in the province, returns laid on the table of the House showing that there was a large proportion of native land, and much of it good, which the com, mission would be able to set aside for Kuropean settlement. The same observation, lie said, might also be applied to the other districts in the Jforln Island. "With all persons, he yaid, "acting strenuously and enthusiastically as appears to be the attitude at present, those who expect most of Jhe Commissioners' work will not be diyap pointed," THE LAND BILL. Asked regarding 'the Land Bill campaign, the Attorney-General would only say that the Hon. Mr McXab was .conducting the campaign with a strenuousness and with a success that ren dcred it unnecessary that anv oilier .minister should at present take the platform. Later on, however, Jlr McNab would have support of all the other Ministers. lie, Dr Findlay, would then speak at a number of ceil'tres.

The reporter next questioned the Altorncy-Ceneral regarding his recent remarks concerning the Wellington Oiand Jury s presentment regarding iSKCRKT COMMISSIONS. "Itseems quite clear," replied Dr Findla\, "lrom what has already transpired, that toe evils of tiie secret commission system are widely enough 'spread ill the colony to call for some cheek. A law has been passed in one o'f the Australian States aimi,.g at the evil and a similar measure is in force in England. The English Act designed lo prevent commercial corruption. penalises Willi imprisonment or line Inv agent who corruptly takes a secret eoi'inussion 1,1 comiect;'On with his pi meiples business, and in the same "ay penalises any person who induces or olhers inducement to an agent to eoiTuptly I . ut , olV( , sU( , h a eolull|ia^ ()|ii lie purpose of inducing the prin--0 1«ils business. lam matin., fur l'«r ""[Uiry into u.e all |, jt .c-L in Xew m the interesls of comnier- ?! niorality, and if, a s I anticipate, is a justification for a law sin,: t ,° i, lml ox'sting on the English li«. c!r °" k, ) boi " B passo<1 ' 1 filulU ad " C.ujuiL'i to introduce such Icdy

lalion this incoming session." °