NATIVE LAND LAWS COMMISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2927, 18 April 1891, Page 2

NATIVE LAND LAWS COMMISSION.

[BY TELEGRAPH —OWN COIIUESI'ONDKNT. ] Auckland, Last Night. The Native Land Laws Commissioners returned from Otorohanga by yesterday's train, and sat again in the Custom House Buildings this morning, when Mr Then Cooper gave evidence. He was emphatically o£opinion that the Native Lund Laws at present are in a state ol hopeless confusion, that there is no certainty of tenure about lands derived from Maori title, and that the profession find it almost impossible to advise clients with any degree of conlidence. In respect of sucli transactions, recent decisions of the Court of Appeal had shown the urgent need of the reform. The whole of the existing Native Land Laws should be repealed, and two new statutes should be passed in their placeone introducing a frosh system for future doaling with Native Lands, and the other fur setting up a tribunal and a system for doaling with the old titles under the system. This new tribunal should consist of men of such reputation and standing as would justify the Legislature in making their decisions absolutely final, no right of appeal being allowed. Power should be given to these judges to validate titles and to issue certificates, which would have the effect of a grant for titles which they validated. It should also enable them to pronounce as radically bad titles which were defective from causes other than technical defect?, and refuse titles in such casus. The linai sitting of the Commission takes place tomorrow at 11 a.m., when Mr John Lundwn will be examined and any other witness who may present himself. The Commission leaves for New Plymouth by the Takapuna on Monday unfiling.