SOUTH ISLAND NATIVE RESERVES BILL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5553, 22 July 1886, Page 2

SOUTH ISLAND NATIVE RESERVES BILL.

INDIGNATION MEETING,

In consequence of the publication of the South Island Native Reserves Bill in the Grey River Argus yesterday morning, a very general feeling of indignation was felt by the sub lessees of Grey mouth, and a public meeting for that evening was hastily called to discuss the que&tion. A large attendance of the public was present at the Town Hall. Mr James Kerr was called to the chair in consequence of the Mayor beiug occupied elsewhere. The Chairman regretted the absence of the Mayor at the meeting. His presence would have given more weight to the meeting than it could have with a private citizen presiding. The bill they were about to discuss was the most one-sided measure that had ever been drafted. It could not possibly have been drafted more in the interests of the original lessees. It was in direct opposition to all the recommendations made to Government in the matter by clever men of the most trustworthy character. He need only refer to one of them, an old and respected citizen of the place ; he referred to Mr Harry Kenrick. The Chairman dwelt at some length on the disadvantages of the bill, and then invited those who desired to speak on the bill to come forwaad. Mr J. W. Jones briefly referred to the facts of the case. He said that a petition had been sent to Wellington in respect to , the Native reserves at Greymouth. A copy was sent to Mr Guinness, who promised to give it all the aid he could, and the petition was accordingly sent in the usual course. After that, as they were aware, Mr Bunny had been appointed a special commissioner to investigate the matter. Mr Bunny came down here, and went over all the ground travelled over by the Royal Commission, and as a result of that he presented a report to the Government. Accompanying this report was the draft of a bill which he had perused. Under that bill the sublessees were protected in h way that would have given general satisfaction. He had every reason to believe that that bill would be passed ; but what was his surprise to discover — as he did by this morning's paper — that the interests of the sub-lessees were entirely ignored, and the Maori owners defrauded — all for the benefit of the original lessees. The Act was certainly not very clear in some of its provisions, and was likely to raise up a fruitful crop of litigation for the lawyers ; Vnt it was perfectly cloar that i h was intended to be entirely in the inters:;., of the oriV-'na! lessees. Altogether, hconsidered the Act a most iniquitous measure. Mr Jones criticised the towns j of the Act in detail to show that in every

word and provision it was in the interests j of the original lessees and against the sublessees ; it gave, in fact, a whip to the original lessees to scourge the sub-lessees. The question they had to answer was — Who is to be benefited, the original lessee or the Maori owner 1 There were no doubt arguments in favor of the original lessees, but what did they amount to as compared with the interests of the large number of sub-lessees. This was a critical time, and he hoped that the sublessees would take such a stand on this matter as would compel Government to have some regard to their interests. He was quite certain that this . bill, if allowed to pass, would be fatal to the prospects and prosperity of Greymouth. They ought all to show such a thorough hostility to this measure that no Governmeut in New Zealand dare pass it. He moved the following resolution. — "That in the opinion of this meeting the bill now introduced into Parliament dealing with the Native Reserve at Greymouth is highly prejudicial to the interests of the great majority of persons having any interest in the said reserves, and will [ positively stop the growth of the town and ruin the present sub-lessees ; and that the I bill as published is diametrically opposed to the recommendations of the Royal Commission and Mr Bunny's report." Mr Wm. Splaine seconded, and the resolution was carried unanimously. Mr Rae moved — "That the said bill-is diametrically opposed to the spirit of the South Islands Native Reserves Act, 1883, j which clearly concerned the interests of I sub-lessees to the extent at least of the improvements made on the land by them, j and gave them a fair opportunity of i obtaining an original lease." Some of the lessees were not satisfied with the provisions of the Act of 1883, and the Royal Commission took this feeling into account in the preparation of their report ; but. the bill published in this morning's i papepfwas entirely in the interests of the original lessees. He was an original lessee as well as a sub-lessee, but his sympathies were entirely with the sub-lessees. He was bound to say that if this Bill should be passed there would be a great many conflagrations in Greymouth. He would not disguiae it that he should allow no original lessee to get the benefit of his property. Mr G. W. Moss seconded the resolution. He thought the sub-lessees were a little to blame for the apathy they had shown over this matter. He thought they should all put their hands in their pocket and send a couple of gentlemen to Wellington to leave no stone unturned so that they should get fair play. He could not help thinking that there had been some underhand influence at work hi this matter. In reply to a question from Mr M'Coll as to whether any word had been received from their representative (Mr A. R. Guinnesa) on the matter, The Chairman read the followirg telegram on the matter frpm Mr Guinness : — " I entirely concur with Greymouth residents in condemning Reserves Bill as unsatisfactory for not protecting interests of sub-lessees. Am drawing amendments to protect their interests. After long interview last night with Yogel and Ballance, they agree to my proposed amendments.— A. R. Gljinxess."" Mr J. Petrie moved the following resolution :— "That the West Coast mem-. "Ber 3, Messrs A. R. Guinness, R. J. Seddon, O'Conor, Bevan, and A. S. Menteath, be requested to oppose the passing of the said hill, and that a telegram be forwarded to the Hon. Mr Bryce thanking him for his efforts in 1883, and requesting him to give his earnest opposition against the present bill." There were some provsions in the Act of 1883 that required amending, though under it the interests of the sub-lessees were respected. They owed a great deal to Mr Bryce for that Act. But under the present bill all previous legislation and recommendations were subverted — everyone in fact that had to do with this matter received, so to speak, a slap in the face, and was told that he knew nothing about the matter. He for one objected to see his property go to some one who had no moral right to it. He did not think a deputation necessary; A strong protest from the people of Greymouth would be enough to prevent the Ministry from trying to pass so unfair a measure. Carried unanimously. Mr J. Hogg moved the following resolution : — " That His Worship the Mayor be requested to telegraph the foregoing resolu ! ions to the Premier, with a request that the Government be asked to withdraw the present bill, and draft a bill on the recommendations of the Royal Commissioner and Mr Bunny's report." Mr Kettle seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. A long discussion ensued as to the propriety of sending a deputation to Wellington. It was proposed that Mr Petrie and Mr Moss be sent as a deputation, but both gentlemen said that they were unable to go. It was then moved that Mr, Petrie and Mr Russell be appointed a deputation to wait upon Ministers on behalf of the sub-lessees. The Chairman recommended that they should wait a day or two until they ascertained what took place in the House during the next few days. Mr Jones advocated sending a deputation to Wellington. Mr Splaine also took a similar view. Mr Petrie altogether differed from the last two speakers. He could not see that there was any necessity for a deputation in the circumstances of the case. Mr Austin suggested that Mr Guinness should be asked to telegraph the amendments he would propose to make in the bill. The resolution in favor of a deputation being sent to Wellington was carried by a large majority, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.