BIG MAORI MEETING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 18, 15 July 1911, Page 5

BIG MAORI MEETING

TO MEET SIR JAMES CARROLL. LAND GRIEVANCES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. About 3000 Maoris are at present assembled at Waahi, just opposite Huntly, for the purpose of meeting Sir Jameß Carroll, Native Minister, to dißcuss matters connected with the settlement of the land of the Waikato. Immense quantities of food have been gathered ready for the visitors, and at the present time Waahi presents the appearance of a new rush on a gold field, owing to it being a regular canvas town. Originally the Native Minister fixed 10th July as the date on which he would be present, but subsequently the time was altered to the 15th. Rangitiras have assembled from all parts of the North Island for the purpose of discussing the land question. At the meeting it will be explained that the meeting has been called to try and get the Government to undo something that was decided upon without consulting the Maori owners of land. Some time ago the natives set aside areas of land under schedules, some to be sold outright, others to bo reserved for the use of the Maoris, and still others to be leased, while a parcel of 25 acres was set aside under the title of Mana, probably intended, for the use of Mahuta. Mesrs. Holland (now judge of Native Land Court) and Ballantyne reported upon the suggestions of the Maori owners of the land, and, it is stated, pretty well approved of them generally. The Maoris were arranging to «ct the land surveyed when the whole thingr was hung up for twelve months by an Order in Council. To get this embargo removed is the main object of the present meeting. It is understood that there is a danger if the embargo is not removed to enable the Maoris to deal promptly with their land that they will simply lock it up again.