MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ENTERTAINED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8365, 22 February 1907, Page 5

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ENTERTAINED.

HON. J. CARROLL ON THE LAND BILL. PROBABILITY OF THE BILL BEING DROPPED. By Telegraph—Press Association. WAIROA, February 21. The Hon. J. Carroll (Native Minister) . and Messrs A. L. D. Fraser and A.. T. Ngata, M's.H.R., were entertained last night. .The Native Minister explained the Maori land legislation and the constitution of the newly-created Land Boards. The Government were determined on a progressive policy in Native matters and to settle the Natives on the land, and where a surplus remained to dispose of it to Europeans in the interests of the Natives. Referring to the Land Bill he deprecated the cry of perpetual leaseholders for the freehold. Settlers under this tenure were placed on the land by the Government, and when assisted'to prosperity they cry out for the freehold and right to buy their holdings at the ox-iginal valuation. The Government did not intend to break its contract with the people in the disposal of these lands, and why should individuals shirk the carrying out of their engagement under contract. The Government only held the land in trust for the people, and would not be disturbed by the clamour of the lease-in-perpetuity tenant for the freehold. What the Government wanted was land for the people. He indicated the probability of the Land Bill being dropped. Mr Fraser declared himself an out-and-out freeholder, and declared that the cry for the freehold was too strong for any Administration to combat. Mr Ngata declared himself a leaser holder. The Maoris had now more land than they could use, and were willing to lease the surplus to Europeans for a term, and if, when that term expired, the Maoris had increased, they could resume occupation of the land. He said the difficulties of getting a title through the old methods were responsible for the Maori indolence. The Maori in many cases could not get on his own land. Yet he required the land as much as the ■ Europeans. If given the opportunity of settling, the Maori would make a good farmer. All he wanted was an incentive, and indolence would dssappear.

All the speakers were well received.