AN OPPOSITION AMENDMENT

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22269, 7 December 1937, Page 12

AN OPPOSITION AMENDMENT

ROYALTY FOR LAND OWNERS .DEBATE ADJOURNED ON MINISTER'S MOTION [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, December 6. An interesting development occurred during the debate on the Petro--1 leum Bill in the House of Representa- | tives to-night, when an Opposition amendment was moved designed to refer the bill back to the Government, so that provision might be made for property owners on whose land oil might be found to share in the receipts from royalties. The only real argument advanced against the bill concerned the royalty payments, and the exclusion of both Maori and European landowners from any possible benefits. The attitude of the Maoris, expressed by the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata (National, Eastern Maori), was supported by Mr E. T. Tirikatene (Government, Southern Maori), who also considered that the Government had intended to overlook the claims of Maoris under the Treaty of Waitangi). Shortly afterwards, an amendment was moved by Mr W. J. Broadfoot (National, Waitomo). It effect was that a proportion of the petroleum royalty should be paid to all owners of land, except in cases where the title held by the owner specified that the mineral rights should be the property of the Crown. A further proviso was that owners of native land should receive at least 50 per cent, of the royalty payable to the Government on oil obtained from their lands, the actual amount to be agreed upon between the Government and the natives concerned. _ Before anyone from the Opposition benches had a chance to second Mr Broadfoot's amendment, the Minister for Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) rose and moved the adjournment of the debate. The impression gained from this was that the Government desires more time in which to consider the whole question of royalties, and in particular the rights of the native race. ________——