NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1922, Page 8

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

TRUSTEE VISITS GREYMOUTH. NO CHANCE OF LOCAL OFFICE. Dissatisfaction lias been expressed for some time by local business people regarding the conditions existing under which the Native business in this district has to be conducted, and a conference was held yesterday at which Judge Rawson (Native Trustee) was present and where methods of rectification were suggested. No hope was entertained by the judge for the establishment of an office in Greymouth.

Those present at the conference were: Messrs Rawson (Native Trustee), Dykes (secretary of the Native Department), the Mayor (Mr J. D. Lynch), Crs 11. F. Doogan, W. 11. Parfitt, Messrs T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., J. Steer, W. R. Kettle, E. E. Coates, F. A. Kitchinghani, A. 11. Patterson and J. Fogarty.

Tho Mayor introduced Mr Rawson to the conference and explained the disadvantages which attended the dealings of those interested in the native leases in this district. He hoped that when those present had placed their case before the Native Trustee he would be. able to assist them.

Mr Seddon also spoke regarding the unsatisfactory conditions existing in regard to the native leases. He said he would like the judge to go into the question of the new Native Reserves Bill and endeavour to have it put through this session, as it had been too late for last session. Any opposition

displayed towards the Bill could be conveyed to the Borough Council who would go into it. He hoped that Mr

Rawson would consider the arguments put forward, and if he could assist them, lie would be helping the town as well as the people.

Mr AV. B. Kettle broached the subject of the payment of rents at Greymouth. He outlined the very unsatisfactory state of affairs and the inconvenience caused through people having to send their payments to Wellington. He considered it only a reasonable proposition to ask Mr Rawson to endeavour to establish a native office here.

Mr Kitchinghain spoke at length on the subject, confining his discourse

mainly to dealing with the leasehold and freehold of the property under discussion. The local tenants, he said,

were the only tenants of the Crown who were compelled to pay exchange on their rents. Another point was the need for plans of the local native reserve to be deposited in Greymouth. Much inconvenience was being experienced through having to go to Hokitika to inspect a plan or title. lie thought they should be returned to Greymouth. Mr Rawson said that this was not controlled by the Government, and was different, to any Government reserve in the Dominion. He, personally, had charge of the reserves and any action taken by him depended upon the attitude of his beneficiaries. lie was averse to the Bills going through without any reference to the natives themselves. This would be the first breach of the Treaty of AVaitangi that had occurred. As it stood at present the Bill was not suitable. Mr Kettle: But the natives are agreeable to it. Mr Rawson: As trustee, I have to look after their interests. Mr Kitchinghain: Under the suggestbeen drafted on the assumption that if any opposition were voiced it would not be proceeded with. Mr Rawson: I’m the person to be considered before the natives. M rKitchingham: Under the suggested alteration the natives would get more than they arc at present —an increased rate on the unimproved value. Continuing, Mr Kitchinghain said at present they received approximately 3 per cent, but would get 5 per cent, if their money was invested. Every time I a new lease was issued a new mortgage had to be drawn up, which, in itself, was a big handicap. Tho Mayor: On past occasions cases have been given from the trustee to the lessee and the mortgagee has been ignored. Mr Kitchinghain said the trustee had no power to dedicate any portion of a native reserve for road purposes. These difficulties would be done away with if the property were freehold. It would be of immense benefit to the lessees if the property were made freehold. Cr Doogan supported the requests for better conditions for holders of native leases. At the present time no information could be gained without going to Hokitika to inquire. Paying the rents at Wellington was most unsatisfactory, as much bother was experienced and exchange had to be added. It seemed to him that this was a simple matter to rectify. With regard to the proposed Bill, he thought that the majority in value of the property were inclined to agree to the request. He contended that if they had the backing of the beneficiaries that they were entitled to expect the Bill to go through. Cr Doogan also stated that £lOO,OOO had been spent on Greymouth and the beneficiaries of the native properties were enjoying the benefits free of charge, and all the money was going out of the twon. This was hardly fair to be allowed to continue for good. In the, meantime he emphasised the need of an office in Greymouth. A round table discussion took place after which Mr Rawson replied to the representations made to him. The arguments had enlightened many dark corners. It was not the sale of the freehold that he was opposed to, it was how it was to be accomplished. At present the department was not getting a return from the land. Rents amount-

ed to £4146, of which £2600 was land tax, so that the natives only received £l5OO. To collect the money on the cheap lines they were following at present cost £3lB, which would bring the i natives’ share down to roughly £l2O0 — a little over 1A per cent. When he said he was not opposed to the freehold he only expressed his own opinion. Before ’he could take any action he would have to have the main body of the natives behind him, and would have to have the consent of the Native Trust Board. They were not at loggerheads on tho question of sale, but it was the manner of disposal that was in doubt; as the trustee he was compelled to do his best for the beneficiaries. If he. had been given power to sell, he would do so to those other than the Borough Council, for they were only offering him 5 per cent, and he could get 7 per cent, elsewhere. AVith regard to the office in Greymouth he could not see any hope; for the profit of the Trust Office is only £3lB, and £2OO of this is paid out in distribution, leaving £lOO to run the office. No man would undertake the job for that small sum, and the office could not pay here, and in view of the retrenchment policy being adopted at the present time he could not see any prospects of an office here. Mr Seddon: Could not a clerk in the Public Trust Office attend to these matters? Mr Rawson: A clerk did attend to it for some time but it proved too expensive. Many errors were discovered and a lot of time was wasted in their rectification. It was found better to attend to the business at Wellington. Referring to the plans Mr Rawson thought that matter could be attended to without any difficulty. The matter of exchange was so trilling that he thought it unworthy of attention. “Besides,” he said, “the landlords are entitled to exchange and we are entitled to be paid in Wellington.” Mr Joyce suggested that the money be paid into the Post Office. Air Rawson: That occasions too much trouble and too much delay. In reply to Mr Kettle Mr Rawson said the Hokitika office was for the transaction of Government business. This was not the only leasehold property the Government was dealing with, but it was the only place at which trouble had been experienced. There were many points which he would like to think over and communicate with them later upon. He was inclined to favour the sale, but did not know how his beneficiaries stood in the matter. The only thing that the local people had to rely upon was that he personally favoured the sale. He felt satisfied that if it was properly explained to tho parties concerned they would agree. Native affairs always took some time, but he did not anticipate any trouble. On the motion of Air Seddon, Air Rawson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his patient hearing.