THE PREMIER AND THE NATIVES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8737, 8 March 1894, Page 5

THE PREMIER AND THE NATIVES.

THE LAND QUESTION. (MUSS ASSOCIATIOH TELEOBAM.) WELLINGTON, March 7. Mr Seddon addressed a Urge meeting of Maoris it Moawhanga and impressed upon them that the Government would no longer allow millions of acre* of land to remain in a state of nature while thousands of people were wanting land to eetfcle upon and cultivate the same. Tiieae remarks applied to European land, and it was the intention the Government to aak Parliament next session for power to take land from Europeans for settlement purposes—thafc was, where land was being held in large areas and kept in a state of nature with only a few. sheep running upon it. This was the class of land they required for settlement, and the Government would take it whether or not owners liked. Ample provision would be made for the Natives whose land would bo taken. Either reserves would beset apart for their support or the Government would issue debentures in payment for the land, these debentures to pay interest and be non-trans-ferable, so that the Natives could nob bo pauperised. The interest accruing from these debenture* would be equal to all Annuity for themselves and their children for all time. The Natives said they would set up ft Committee to deal with line lands and negotiate with the Government on the tribe* .