NATIVE LAND TITLES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 136, 5 March 1929, Page 12

NATIVE LAND TITLES

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE PETITION TO PREMIER By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, March 4. Sir Joseph Ward was accorded an enthusiasts welcome by many hundred Natives on the Marae at the hui this morning, where he and a party were the guests of honour at a luncheon tendered by Lady Carroll. The following petition from the Maori chiefs was presented to the Prime Minister“ln reviewing the general position of the Maori race to-day, representatives that have assembled to honour the memory of your old colleague and life-long friend, Sir James Carroll, desire to emphasise three main features, namely: (1) That the statistics reveal a steady increase in the Maori population, which, among other things, has accentuated the problem of lawlessness and the conservation for Maori farming of the most suitable lands remaining to the race; (2) that the definition of titles to Native lands has definitely passed to the stage when the individual and family interests must be consolidated, necessitating the pressing on of schemes for the consolidation of Interests; (3) that, if the settlement by the Maoris of their lands is to succeed, adequate finance will have to be immediately provided. “We have been informed that the funds under the control of the Native Trustee and the hjaori Lands Boards for lending to Maori farmers on security of their lands are almost exhausted. These funds were entirely provided from Maori sources, but have not been supplemented in any way by the State. We are of the opinion that the resources of the State Advances Office, even if open to Maori applicants, will not be taken advantage of to any great extent by our people. That office is not suited to the peculiarities of the race, and we would prefer that the financing be done, as now, through the machinery of the Native Trust Office and the Maori Lands Boards. We know your Government is anxious to assist "to the best of its ability, and we are pleased with the announcement you have already made. In that respect we are submitting with due deference that the assistance should be in a form and administered in 9 manner most suited to the nature of our people.” In reply, Sir Joseph referred to the progress of the Maori race since 1896, when the Urewera Country was partially opened up. He reminded the gathering that in the last session he introduced a clause granting the Maori land owners the same rights as pakehas In obtaining money from the State Advances Department on the same terms and conditions. He pointed out that it was not easy to give effect to the Maoris’ requests owing to the difficulties of raising large sums in the Dominion, and the amount that could be raised in one year must necessarily be restricted. With the earnest desire to help Maori settlement and their utilisation of property on a profitable basis, he would consider the questions with a view to effecting an improvement if possible. __________