G.—s

40

Twelve and a half million acres at would give £78,125. From this has to be deducted £2,000 already received by the Natives, leaving £76,125 as principal. Then to this has to be added seventy-two years' interest —£274,050 — (at 5 per cent.) or a total sum of £350,175. In addition we think there should be added something as a contribution towards the heavy expenses the Natives have been put to in endeavouring to get their claims recognized. They have consistently and persistently exercised their right to petition Parliament in seeking to have their grievance remedied, and they have also attended and sought relief from various Eoyal Commissions, including our own. For this we add slightly over 1 per cent., and recommend a sum of £354,000 as the full compensation. We may say, however, that had the Natives actually been allotted the reserves they were entitled to, those reserves would at this date, we are sure, be greater in value than the compensation now recommended. In arriving at this opinion we take into account that to make them so would have required exertions and expenditure on behalf of the Natives, in addition to the increment that it was anticipated and intended should be given to such lands by the spread of civilization and the extension of the settlement of the country. We have therefore no hestitation in recommending what we have suggested as a reasonable basis on which this nearly century-old grievance, arising in the first instance out of misconception, prolonged through misunderstanding, and magnified by neglect in taking prompt measures to rectify it, should now, if possible, be amicably settled. Should Your Excellency's Advisers deem it fitting to settle this longstanding grievance, either on the basis proposed by us or on any other that mightbe considered just and equitable, might we respectfully suggest that, in allotting any funds for the purpose, regard should be had to the future as well as the present wants of the Natives interested. Dated this 30th day of November, 1920. E. N. Jones, j John Strauchon, [ Commissioners. John Orsmby, ) To His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand.

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