CONFISCATED LANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 215, 11 September 1929, Page 19

CONFISCATED LANDS.

LARGE ANNUAL GRANTS. SETTLING WITH: THE MAORI. MINISTER'S PROGRESS REPORT. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. A Royal Commission which investigated long-standing grievances of the Maoris of Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, and the Waikato in regard to confiscations of lands following the Maori wars made recommendations for monetary grants as compensation for inequalities in the original process. When the Native Department estimates were before the House of Representatives to-day, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition, inquired what progress had been made in regard to the settlement of these claims. He realised, he said, that there were many difficulties in the matter, but the Commission's report made certain recommendations, and there were indications of the past Government's ideas left on the files. Whether the latter met with the wishes of- the present Minister, and the policy of his Government, he was unable to say. While he realised that it was impossible to come to an immediate conclusion on the matters, ho would like to know whether anything had been communicated to the tribes concerned. Sir Apirana Ngata replied that the matters had not been - finally settled. On behalf of the Government he had offered the Taranaki natives £5000 annually, and they asked for double that amount, though they were prepared to accept £5000 on account. The Waikatos had decided to refer to a meeting of elders the question of whether they would accept any monetary compensation, so that so far as they were concerned the whole matter was still in the air. A sum of £5000 offered to the Wairoa and Bay of Plenty natives in settlement of their claims had been accepted.