WAIKATO LAND COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 199, 20 August 1904, Page 3

WAIKATO LAND COUNCIL.

AN UNQUALIFIED MEMBER. (By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.) i — WELLINGTON, this day. During the discussion on the Estimates of expenditure on the main land administration, Mr Herries referred to the fact that Mr Henare Kaihau, member for the Western Maori District, w-as a member of the Waikato Land Council. It had been distinctly understood during the discussion on the bill, said Mr Herries, that members of the House should not hold seats on the counciLs, and yet this member had been appointed, and while on last year's Estimates the Native Minister had said that the appointment was of a temporary nature, and would not be continued, Kaihau still held his seat. Mr Carroll stated that the member in question had been asked to resign, but still held his seat. He had, however, not attended meetings since last session, and publicly announced that he would have nothing more to do with the councils. Mr A. L. D. Fraser said that the appointment was a scandalous one. A distinct pledge was given that no member of Parliament should have a seat on the Boards. The Native Minister said that this pledge was given after the. appointment was made. Mr Fraser denied this, saying that the promise was given during the discussion on the bill, on its introduction before any councils could have been appointed. He declared that what the council in question had done regarding native lands was not creditable either to the members of the Board or the Administration. Mr Herries contended that under the Act members of the House were not entitled to sit on tbe councils. Apparently the Minister had been unable to persuade Kaihau to resign, but it was an improper thing that he should still be a member of the Waikato Council. He also complained that vacancies which bad occurred in the Boards had not been filled up for several months.