GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12602, 19 September 1906, Page 8

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(FKETS ASSOCIATION TKI.KCRAU.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

TfESDAY, SKI'TKMDr.R 18

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THIRD READINGS. The Juvenile Offenders Dili and the Sale of En plosives Rill were read a third time and passed.

NATTY!-: LAND.S. Mr MACDONALD resumed the debate upon Mr Ormond's motion for an extended return oi the native wa_to binds of tho coluny. He criticised tho apathy of tho Nativo Land Department, and the apathy of the people, especially m tho iSouth Island, respecting the question ot dealing with native land: It was not the fault of the Maoris, who repraseuted 5 per cent, of the population, but of the Europeans representing i'-j per cent., tint millions ot acres Hero lying unutilised and returning nothing to the revenue. Tho present po.-i.tiou could not possibly continue. To overcome the tuitieulty, the lirst uroct.'HS was 10 sweep away the multitudinous Acts relating to native lands. Then every acre of land, the titles to whicli had not been individualised,, should be taken over by the Crown. A commission should then report upon the value of the whole of the lands, and as to what should bo reserved for residential purposes. Twenty acres would be sufficient for each native, and one million acres would give this area to every Maori. That would leave between three and four million acres, which were suitable for settlement, and which would give a fair return to those who took up the land. When the value was estimated, the Government should issue bonds through the Public Trust Office for the amount, which should remain in trust until the Maori titles wero settled, and interest should bo given to holders of the land. He contended that the policy' of dealing with tho Maori lands by the Maori Parliament and Maori Boards had proved a complete failure, and it was necessary to adopt a policy such as ho had suggested to enable Europeans to settlo upon the available lands of the colony. Mr MAHUTA said ho entirely agreed with Mr Macdonald in his proposal for sweeping away the old native land laws and establishing new laws to enable the lands to be thrown open.

Mr PITT defended the Native Minister from the accusation of apathy, and quoted .statistics to show that a great deal had recently been done towards acquiring native lands and individualising titles. He had no objection to tho motion, but it must be understood that in voting for it ho in no way subscribed to the views of the mover. The motion was carried on the- voices. The Council rose at 5 p.m.