WEST COAST LEASES.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1922, Page 7

WEST COAST LEASES.

MEETING OF LEASEHOLDERS. RENEWAL OF LEASE WANTED. A number of leaseholders under th? 1913 Act met at Opunake on Tuesday last to discuss the question of petitioning the Government for a renewal of the leases which expire between 1924 and 1928. This land is being held on a ten years’ extension under the West Coast Leases Amendment Act. Mr. W. L. F. Chambers presided, and said it would be disastrous for the district if the land was allowed to go back to the Maoris. They did not desire to do the natives any injustice, but felt it was in the best interests of all concerned for the present tenants to remain on the land. The noxious weeds menace was a serious one. and if the land reverted the land would be neglected in this and other respects. Again, from the point of view of production, such reversion would not be wise. Other speakers stressed these points. Mr. Hawken, who was present by invitation, said he agreed it would not be desirable to give the land to the natives. It would be a serious thing for the dairy companies and for the district.

Mr. R. Morris said it was never intended when the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act was passed that the land should go back to the Maoris. The land was confiscated in the first place. Continuing, Mr. Hawken said the question was a difficult one. In 1913 a compromise had been made and leaseholders had accepted the ten years’ extension. A mistake had been made by these leaseholders in not taking advantage of the 1862 Act. They had missed a great chance. Tt was not in the interests of the native owners to allow the land to revert back to them, because they would not work it. Tt would be for the Native Trustee to say which course he considered best.

Several speakers gave instances of their experience with native lands and their endeavors to purchase the freehold. Mr. J. Feaver remarking that it would be good for the natives to relieve them of the responsibility of these lands by arranging a renewal. They certainly did not wish any injustice done to the natives. Mr. Chambers said their course was to gather all the information possible on the nfatter and place a petition before Parliament asking for a renewal of the leases. The Maori would still receive rent, and would actually be better off than if he was on the land. The rental could be assessed and an L.I.P. or other renewable lease given the white man. He felt sure Mr. Hawken would give them great assistance. Mr. Hawken advised getting proof from examples of neglect of land by natives. He was convinced the natives would never do any good with weedinfected lands. They should work up a good case and he would help them to put it before the Government. He would advise going for the L.I.P. After considerable discussion it was resolved that a committee be set up to gather information and prepare a petition for presentation to Parliament asking the Government, to consider the question of renewal of old leasee which expire under the 1913 Act.

The following committee was appointed: Messrs. W. L. F. Chambers (chairman), T. H. H. Sinclair (secretary), A. Lusk, J. Humphries. J. Hickey, R. L. Eustace, H. A. Jordon, G. Cook, W Markham, H. McCann, E. G. Baylis (Opunake Dairy Company), and J. Pettigrew (Pihama Dairy Company).

Tt was decided to ask all dairy companies and local bodies in the district to pass resolutions supporting the petition.

Votes of thanks were tendered Messrs. Hawken and Croker for their valuable help.—Times.