Meeting of Natives.

Hastings Standard, Issue 106, 28 August 1896, Page 3

Meeting of Natives.

IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS. [By Telegraph.] [Speciai. to Standard.] Wellington, This day. Meetings of Natives have been held daily in the Parliamentary Buildings recently. Messrs Carroll, Heke and Wi Pere have addressed them on subjects affecting them. After lengthy discussions amongst themselves several important resolutions have been passed. One of the first decisions arrived at was that instead of proceeds of sales of native lands being handed over to the Public Trustee it should be held in trust for them by the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Block Committee. Another resolution was passed asking for a return of lands given to missionaries in the early days for the purposes of establishing colleges for the education of Native children. It is contended that the provisions under which the laud was granted have not been carried out. They desire that nothing in the Sea Fisheries Act should prevent the .Maoris gathering any shell-fish or sea weed they may want for food. All Bills to be introduced they ask to be printed in Maori and circulated amongst the Natives for discussion. Regarding the Mining Act Amendment Bill, they have resolved to ask the Government if it is correct that the Crown possess rights to gold and silver and precious metals on native lands. If the Government claim these rights, the Natives ask that legislation be passed reinstating their rights in these precious metals. They contend that nothing contained in the Treaty of Waitangi deprived them of the rights.