NATIVE LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 81, 22 August 1912, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS.

DEPUTATION* TO THE GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. Representatives of tlu; lessees .of "the Ohutij block of native land in the Wangairai district waited on the Prime Minister, as Minister of Lands, and pointed out that the tenure of 21 years renewable lease was unsatisfactory; that there was a question whether improvements were a charge upon the land; and that they were subject to disabilities. with regard to borrowing money for improvements and roading. They therefore asked that the, Government should assist them to cret the freehold of their holdings. This might be done either by legislation or ,by the Government purchasing the land and selling it to the lessees. The block in question had an area of 50.000 acres, and it was urged that the tenure under which it was held was the worst tenure in New Zealand.

The Prime Minister, in reply, expressed sympathy with the deputation 'in the unfortunate position in which ! they were placed. Even if the fault i was their own the fact remained that | they were in serious difficulty in rej gard to finance. Tt was quite impossible, 'in his opinion, to finance oil these leases. I Very few people would lend money on the security of these leases except at | a very high rate of interest. ITe was contemplating an amendment of the law which would put the matter right, hut it could not he mad'- retrospective. The policy of the Government on the land question was the option of the freehold "wherever it was possible to {jive it. Unfortunately, it was not alwavs possible, but he thought they would notice from the division that took place in the House last night that not only the •Government was freehold, but the House was freehold. Later <m he hoped the Government would be able to suggest a way out of the difficulty. Tf the Government could help them it would be glad to do so. but the interests of native owners must be safeguarded.