DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1919, Page 8

DOMINION NEWS.

CHARGES OF FRAUD. By Telegraph.—Pfess Association, Dunedin, Yesterday. Raymond Alfred .Saunders, known as "Professor liari-aden," was charged in the -police court this morning with having obtained £(S from a hotoikeeper at Christchurch by means of a valueless cheque, with intent to defraud. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded to Christchurch, bail being allowed. ° MAORI-OWNED TOWN LAND. Wellington, Yesterday, representative deputation from'the King Country waited upon the Prime .Minister and the Minister of Native Affairs this morning and urged that the disadvantages under which residents of Te Kuiti. Taumarunui, and Otorohanga suffered, as the result of the towns in question being Maori-owned, should be removed. The Prime Minister said the matter wm one of importance to the whole Dominion. The suggestion that the State should purchase the property in the towns concerned from the Natives willing to sell appealed to him as fair and just. It was essential, of course, that the interests of the Natives should he protected'. He hoped that it would be possible to get something done this session. Mr. Herries expressed the opinion that the Act of 1913 gave ample power to do what the deputation was asking if the Natives were willing to sell. He was quite prepared to call a meeting of owners if possible, effect the purchase. In making the purchase, however, the the Crown must be protected bv a Guarantee from the present tenants thaUhewould re-purchase the property' from the ■State. The deputation said it was prepared to do this. THE RABBIT NUISANCE. Wellington, last Night. Members of the Hanks' .Peninsula Bahhit Hoard waited on" the Minister v>r Agriculture this morning and asked that the Rabbit Nuisance Act should he amended so that so much time would not be lost, in putting its provisions into operation. The deputation also asked that a portion of the lines imposts; should be given to the rabbit boards instead of the. total amount being paid into the consolidated fund. The Hon. N'osworthy promised to get an opinion from the Crown Law Office in regard to the powers of boards. Although rabbits were returning very good profits to some people, that could not be allowed to interfere with the drastic steps necessary for their eradication.