ORAKEI LAND DISPUTE

Evening Star, Issue 23175, 26 January 1939, Page 12

ORAKEI LAND DISPUTE

MAORI GRIEVANCES DECISION FOR THE CROWN [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 26. A decision in favour of the Crown has been given by Mr Justice Kennedy, the Royal Commissioner appointed to inquire into grie.vahces alleged by Maoris in regard to their continued occupation of land at Orakei on the waterfront near Auckland. Adjacent to .the area in dispute are a large number of the State houses erected in the last year or two. The questions submitted to the Commission were whether the Crown should have abstained from purchasing the land a few years ago from the Maoris; whether the price was fair and reasonable; and whether there is any valid reason for the present Native occupiers refusing to vacate the land and give possession. The Commission holds that there was no reason why the CroWn should' have refrained from purchasing; that the price was fair and reasonable, and that there was no • good reason why the Maoris should not give possession. In a memorandum attached to the finding, the Acting Minister of Native Affairs, Mr Langstone, states that the Commissioner recommends that payments by way of adjustment in the purchase price should be made to certain Natives, and Cabinet has approved of that being done.