NATIVE LANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 217, 24 September 1901, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS.

MR MONK'S IDEAS

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday.

la the course of an interview today on the native question, Mr Monk, M.H.K. for, Waiternata, said:—"lf I had to deal with the natives and their lands 1 should repeal every existing law relating to native lands, and in their pl^ce contrive a final consolidating Act. It should be simple, yet comprehensive and liberal. It should secure them from absolute pauperism by the means of moderate reserves or plipakainga (lands held by the tribe), to be inalienable* and exempt from taxation, but I would effectively discourage their present irresponsible landlordism by inserting an enactment that at the expiration of three years from the date its passing all their lands other than those made papakainga should be subject to the same taxation as that imposed upon lands held by Europeans, but upon such lands there should be allowed to them the same rights of sale and disposal, except that the areas to be sold and leased to settlers should be governed by the sam« restrictions that now apply to the disposition of our Crown lands as are enjoyed by Europeans. There may be a large quantity of land they may not be able to sell, and with regard to this they should be at liberty to sell it to the Government, or they should be able to put it into the hands of the Government for sale as Crown lands, and in that case it. should be exempt from paying rates. Dealing with native lands in this manner may not be altogether agTceable to them, but its regard for the equities of the position will win their own respect, and lead them to study! the best means of complying with the regulations by which they would be controlled. Special arrangements should be made for natives who might desire to invest the proceeds of their land sales in consols at 4 per cent. T am certain such a plan would meet with general support. At present they are afraid to put their money in banks and institutions that may go wrong, as they have often done in the past. With regard to Mr A. L. I). Praser's proposal to do away with special Maori representation, my feeling is this: We have at present such a large amount of elective material that is indifferent to the future welfare of the country that T am afraid the native power1 in elections would be thrown on the side of those most prolific in and indifferent to the value of promises."