RAROTONGA LANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 122, 26 May 1930, Page 3

RAROTONGA LANDS.

CONSOEIBATION POLICY. STATEMENT BY SIR A. T. NGATA.. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. For many years there has been a steady effort to deal wdth native lands by the process of individualization of titles. This has not been a completely satisfactory method of dealing with the whole problem, and Sir Apirana Ngata, Native Minister, gave to the "'Star'' correspondent an important explanation of the lines which are now being followed to remedy some of the difficulties or the j old policy. "I had intended visiting Earotonga before the session," explained Sir Apirana, "but was obliged to abandon the project owing to the political situation. I had intended as Minister in Charge of Cook Islands to have accompanied the delegation of New Zealand chiefs now visiting Earotonga to give them an introduction to the Island people, and to take the opportunity of tettini' into touch with the traders. Judge Carr, of the Native Land Court, has gone to Earotonga on a three months' exchange with Judsre Arson, the Chief Judge and Administrator of the island. I wanted Mr. Carr to look into the position of native land at Earotonga in view of the more recent New Zealand experience, where we have been compelled by the chaos into which the subdivision of lands had placed us, to reverse the process, and. by reaggregation of scattered interests on a valuation basis, to consolidate into individual and family holdings'. "The question which exercised me," continued Sir Apirana, "was whether, owing to the dual influences of succession and ' partitions under which we approached the same-position in Earotonga. p experienced in consolidation work in New Zealand should look over the position in Earotonga; therefore, while Ayson, of Cook Islands, is getting into active touch with consolidation work in New Zealand, Judge Carr is accompanied on his visit to Earotonga bv Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, of Rotorua, who has been in charge of consolidation work in the Bay of Plenty district, and who is an experienced surveyor. He wid assist Judge Carr, and the latter while in Earotonga will administer Rarotongan affairs during the period or" exchange. Accompanying the party is Mr. Smith, secretary; of the Cook' Islands Department." .