MAORI LAND TENURE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27035, 9 May 1953, Page 2

MAORI LAND TENURE

ADDRESS TO PAN-PACIFIC WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Maori Land Courts had always operated on the principle of recognising the immaturity of judgment of Maoris and its purpose was to protect their interests, said Mr E. J. Corcoran when giving a talk on Maori land tenure to members of the Christchurch section of the Pan-Pacific Women’s Association last evening. “If there is a conflict between Maori and pakeha the Court proceeds on the assumption that the pakeha is wrong and the Maori is right, the pakeha being regarded as a person who can look after himself,” said Mr Corcoran.

Maori tenure in New Zealand today was decided on tribal customs and laws which were in force in the early days. The four main routes of title under which a claim for land must be proved by a Maori were by discovery, inheritance from forbears, conquest, or by gift. Mr Corcoran continued. Occupation in all law was a relevant part of title, but could not actually give title. If a Maori could prove he had a title under any of the four mam routes anti prove his family had been in occupation for three generations then he had practically a conclusive title.

In the early days land was not owned by Maoris as individuals, but by the tribe. The same feeling of tribal ownership persisted among most Maoris today, he said. Tribal boundaries were clearly defined and the tribes had an excellent knowledge of the extent of their land, a characteristic of the Maori which remained at the present time. “Maoris knew their genealogy thoroughly, too, and retain a tremendous Interest in their family trees,” he said. In 1840 when early land dealings were made with the Crown the Maoris were remarkable for the scrupulous way fn which they honoured then- contracts. “Their word could never be doubted and their personal prestige, integrity and dignity were outstanding. Mr Corcoran said. „ The „P° lic y of the Government of New Zealand during the last 20 years had been most commendable and conditions under which the Maoris lived had improved greatly since the last two Governments had taken a deeper interest in social welfare work among the native people, Mr Corcoran said.