NATIVE LANDS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1909, Page 8

NATIVE LANDS.

[BT TELEGRAPH — PBESS ASSOCIATIONS CHRISTOHURCH, 10th May. At a deputation to-day, the restrictions against the alienation of native lands in the South Island were discussed. Several speakers urged that the restrictions should be removed, and that the Maorisshould be placed on the same footing as Europeans. Other speakers strenuously opposed the idea. They said that they feared that if their lands were free to be alienated as the owners might desire, the South 'Island Maoris would soon be absolutely landless. ■Mr. Ngata said that in many respects the conditions in the South Island differed from those in the North Island. The reserves, exclusive of the provision made 'by the South Island Landless Natives Act, were barely sufficient to maintain the grantees and their descendants. Even now a majority of the sections had been leased to Europeans, and the rents received were not sufficient to maintain the families. Many of the younger men and women were practically landless, and yet had the use of land for residence rent free. Both political parties agreed that under any system of alienation sufficient land should be reserved for the maintenance of Maori owners. There was a difference of opinion as to the extent of reservation. The Southern conditions raised- a doub\ whether the policy of reservation was wise. He thought that the South Island ] Maoris should submit in detail the posi- I tion of their reserves and their views j for consideration of the Native Minister, j The facts might be instructive, and the deductions from them so clear ac to necessitate a. modification of the principles on which the native land legislation was based.