The Bill in Prospect.

Maori Record : a journal devoted to the advancement of the Maori people, Volume I, Issue 4, 1 October 1905, Page 8

The Bill in Prospect.

Replying to an . Auckland deputation, Mr Seddon said : “Coming to the question of native lands, the Premier said that it had been suggested that the natives should be treated in the same way as- Europeans. He reminded them that they could not confiscate. The lands had to be dealt with in a manner which would reflect on the credit of the colony. European lands were not confiscated. If the lands of a European were taken, he was allowed to keep 1000 acres, and if each native owner were allotted that minimum there would not be much left to take. They wanted to promote settlement in such a way as to carry the natives with them. They had tried the council system, and during the period of its existence of four or five years half a million acres had been .opened up for settlement by being purchased or put through the Native Councils. The natives were slow, and time was not an object. If you tried to force them they became passive re.sisters. Small sections in a large number of blocks were allocated to natives, instead of their interests being consolidated in one block. A bill dealing with the matter would shortly be before the House-, and he hoped he would have their assistance in carrying the matter through.”

The Bill in being is the dreadful “Maori Lands Settlement Bill.”