NATIVE LANDS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2432, 1 December 1892, Page 4

NATIVE LANDS.

The Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times wires : —“ Referring to Mr Rees’ proposals, which I sent you the other day, I find they are much discussed here, as is only natural, for the question of the Native lands is of the most surpassing interest with the northern people. How can we manage to get that magnificent estate of ten million acres thrown open ? That is their constant question. Before anyone can reply,the remark invaraibly is made that the opening would make a boon of prosperity such as the colony has never seen. “ The public works policy,” a shrewd friend said to me the other day, “ would be a fool in comparison, and what is more, the boom would be without any reaction.” Some of the more prominent enthusiasts want the Government to make short work by stepping in and buying the whole lot by process of compulsion. “ Give a distinguished lawyer, the best to be had in Great Britain, £IO,OOO, and let him draw up an Act for arranging the whole thing —the purchase, the clearing up of titles, and all the rest.” That opinion I heard the other day, and if I were permitted to give the name of its owner it would astonish you. The general public is, however, as far as I can ascertain, for milder measures, more in accordance with treaty obligations. The experts declare that the four divisions of xhe subject made by Mr Rees are excellent, and as for his proposal for settling many of them by making corporations of the Native owners, they feel that it is good so far as it goes, viz., in its application to those lands of the Natives whose titles are already ascertained by the Native Land Court. But what about those where the titles are not ascertained 2 That they declare to be the difficulty. lam in a position to say that this difficulty is under the consideration of the Government, and that in all probability a Bill will bo ready by next session for solving it in connection with Mr Rees’ proposals.”