NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 234, 21 February 1913, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

MINISTER'S IMPORTANT SPEECH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, Thursday. Mr. Hemes delivered an- important speech last night at Jerusalem, on the Wanganui river, where he has been paying a visit in his capacity as Native Minister. The most striking portion of the speech was his frequent repetition of the fact that the future policy of the Government would be one race one law, and that its aim would be to bring the pakeha and natives together in one race of New Zealanders, instead of keeping them separate. j The, Maoris brought a lengthy list oi grievances under the Minister's notice, and in reply thereto Mr. Herries made several interesting announcements. He said he hoped shortly to be able to effect the amalgamation of the Maori Land Boards with tlie Native Land Court, believing that as far as administration was concerned this would be more satisfactory than the present system. At the same time he wished to acknowledge the, good work which had been done by all the land boards. He foreshadowed legislation to enable natives to get titles.to their lands more easily and cheaply than under the present system, thus enabling them to borrow money on better terms for the purpose of development. Tn reply to a request for the reduction of the death duties he indicated that there was no hope of these being reduced, either in the, case of the Maori or pakeha. The cutting off of cultivable land for scenic purposes, which is a long-standing grievance, will be stopped and only ground unsuitable for anything else will be set aside in this way. An interesting point cropped up in connection with the. desire of the Aotea Maori Land Board's tenants to obtain the freehold of their leases. The Maoris asked that sales of Maori land vested in the boards be prevented, and the Minister, in reply, said he would not help towards any such sales, unless it were to the boards or the Government, and would always set his face against the compulsory sale of land, except for public works. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed.