NATIVE LAND LAWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 55, 5 March 1909, Page 6

NATIVE LAND LAWS.

CONSOLIDATION COMPLETED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Sir Robert Stout (the Chief Justice), who leaves for England to-morrow, stated to an interviewer to-day that the consolidation of the statutes relating to native affairs is practically finished. It just needs a little revising—in fact, it would have been completely out of hand if the Chief Justice had been eble to work during the past few days. Any final revision that may be nec'essa*y will no doubt be done by the Crown J-aw Department. Before "leaving for Home to-morrow, Sir Robert will also forward to the Governor toe final report of the Native Land Commission. Following on his almost monumental work of the general consolidation of statutes, Sir Robert Stout boldly undertook, in connection with Palmer, the difficult task of consolidating the laws relating to native land and native affairs generally. In speaking on this subject, Judge "Palmer said: work involved the consolidation * of the laws relating to the Native Land Court and its proceedings, the laws affecting native land boards, the general disposal of native land, and all laws concerning native reserves, trust lands, and special and local Acts. All these laws have had to be caTefullv scrutinised, with the view of ascertaining which had become exhausted or obsolete, what . portions are still subsisting, and what is the test mode of repealing all these statutes, and substituting in lieu thereof a comprehensive enactmer.t, so as to save all past rights that. are existing and ensure for those entitled to them benefits under the Acts to be revealed, under the ConsoEdatioi. Act." Mr SS ******& 'toL m Robert Stout s absolute devotion to hard work Ja ...".'■■' ' '" ; 'f