WEST COAST LEASES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 110, 30 October 1911, Page 7

WEST COAST LEASES.

THE EIGHTS OF LESSEES. In the House of Representatives on Thursday evening, the Hon. T. Ngata moved the recommittal of the Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill to insert an amended provision intended to prevent the aggregation of native leases. It was explained that the clause would not affect transfers now before the registrars. Mr. Dive (Egmont) sought to have the position of tho West Coast settlement lessees reconsidered and moved that the Bill be also re-committed to insert a new clause giving them perpetual right of renewal.

The Hon. A. T. Xgata resisted the proposal, on grounds similar to those advanced by him when the question was discussed a few days ago. Ho said it would be unjust to give the lessees the perpetual leases they sought. The whole thing must first be enquired into with a view to ascertaining what proportion of the land ought to be returned to the native owners for occupation by them. Dr. Te Rangihiroa also opposed the proposal to give the lessees a perpetual right over the land. He said that the native owners desired to resume possession of their property and work it for themselves now that the leases were running out. Surely they were entitled to do this! The Taranaki members who supported the proposal were very incon-, sistent, because it really meant supporting native landlordism, the very thing they were wont to oppose. Messrs Dive, Okey and Pearce all supported the lessees' demands, declaring that it w.-is most unjust to lot this land go back into the hands of the natives. They agreed that it would be a great bar to settlement in the district. '

Sir James Carroll said lie was prepared to repeat Ins offer of a commission to enquire into the position of the leasps. though it had been refused when previously made. He would leave it to the Commission to decide upon a fair compensation for improvements. The suggestion of the Taranaki members was characterised by Air. L. M. Isitt as "simply scandalous." Mr. Dive's amendment was defeated by 45 votes to IS. The motion to re-commit the Bill so as to insert the clause was carried by 33 votes to 24.