NATIVE LAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 253, 24 October 1936, Page 12

NATIVE LAND.

AMENDING BILL.

TECHNICAL CHARACTER. DEVELOPMENT WORK. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The Native Land Amendment Bill, which was introduced by GovernorGeneral's Message in the > House of Representatives to-day, contains » over 50 clauses, most of which are of a technical nature. The most important part of the measure sets out extensive powers to be given the Board of Native Affairs in connection with the development of native lands, and will enable Crown lands to come under its jurisdiction for development, subject to arrangement with the Minister of Lands. Native land may be declared subject to the provisions of the development clauses of the Act, and native areas may be brought in on resolution of assembled owners. Where Crown land is transferred, tho Minister of Lands may provide funds for its development out of the Lands for Settlement Account subject to a charge on the laud concerned. The board is empowered to engage advisers for native farmers. It may nominate occupiers of developed land and make them advances. Areas may be leased to others than natives if in the opinion of the board there is no native willing to accept a lease or a proper person to become a tenant thereof. For the purpose of enabling the board to exercise its development powers, the Governor-General may prohibit alienations of such land except to the Crown. The powers of Maori councils are extended to include the imposition of charges for water supply to Maori villages, kaingas or pas.

The bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Native Affairs Committee.