UREWERA LANDS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 119, 13 February 1920, Page 8

UREWERA LANDS

A MINISTERIAL INSPECTION POSSIBILITIES OF SETTLEMENT. Tlic Minister of Lands (Hon. D. IT. Guthrie) has arranged to leave Wellington on Monday on a visit of inspection to the lirewern Country. He wishes to examine for himself some of tho land that has been nequired by the Government, and tlie other land that remains in tho hands of tho Natives, with a view to expediting settlement as far as pos. sible. "THe. nositio'i in regard to the Crown s purchase of Native land in the lirewera Country is very imperfectly understood by the public." sniil Mr. Guthrie yesterday. "It is generally known that the Crown has made large purchases of land, and from time to time the Government is accused of dilatorincss in not preparing it for settlement by returned soldiers. To make.the reason of the elelaj complained of quite clear it is necessary to explain the difficulties with which the Crown is confronted In dealing with this land, which acquired under the system of purchasing individual interests of the Natives in the various blocks. These interents have not been defined, 'and tho _ purchases really represent the acquisition of the shnTes of such of the owners as are willing to sell. "Tito net result of this as at September SO, IDI9, was that the Government 1,0.. i rr , n „;,v,/l unrlnlncrl interests in 43 Native blocks, representing a total of 308.434 acres, leaving a balance of 207.113 acres to he purchased before the Crown fi,., „ff„v;„„ n f r i, P burl until th° whole nf the Mocks in which it holds interests. Tlie question lias now arisen as to whether the Government should delay n,„ r.<Wi„" nf tho land until th« whole has been purchased ,or -whether it would be better policy to survey the a-terinl roads through 'the country, and nnnly to the Native Land Court, to partita the Crown's interest and prepare the land for immediate settlement. "Before coming to a decision on tho matter, many side issues have to ho considered, fend to ma,ke mvself tie-nn-i-itpfl n-ißi flieso fin.'l f,o cuintry itself, I intend to visit the Hrewera fv,,intrv W wnv of Gnlatei. right through it. -and return by way of 1 Whakatnrie." I Mr. Guthrie added that during his absence lie- will investigate local matters, affecting the settling on tho land nf rotnrned soldiers, both Eiirop«in and Native. He hones to return to Wellington on February 24. ■ \ =