MAORI LANDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 October 1926, Page 9

MAORI LANDS.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. SIR M. POMARE’S ANNOUNCEMENT. The Hon. Sir Maui Pomare, Minister for Cook Islands and member of the Executive Council representing the Native race, arrived in Hawera from Wellington last evening. This morning the Minister visited the Kctemarae pa (Normanby), where he addressed a large gathering of representatives of the Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngatiruauui and Ngarauru tribes drawn from the district bounded by the White Cliffs in the north and Waitotara in the south. Sir Maui, whose remarks were greet-, ed with manifest approval, announced that the Government had consented to the apfiointment of a Commission to inquire into the question of the confiscation of Native lands over the full period of the European setlement of New Zealand. He reviewed the representations which, extending over a considerable number of years, have been made on behalf of the Native race in the matter and appealed to the tribe and. liapn leaders to assist t-lie Co minission by placing before it all available information on the subject. He intimated that the personnel the Commission had not. as yet been officially announced, but would be gazetted in the early future. The Minister also made sympathetic and appropriate reference to the lamented death of Sir James Carroll, which occurred last evening. Appreciation of the consent given to the formation of the Commission was expressed on behalf of the gathering by Tonga Awhikau and Pouwhareumu Toi, who also made feeling reference to the decease of Sir James Carroll. PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE. A committee to represent the district between White Cliffs and Waitotara in matters relating to the commission of inquiry was appointed by the gathering as follows: W. Tupito (Patea), chairman. Maui Rangihaeata (Patea), secretary. Nohomairangi Te Whiti (Parihaka). Rima Whakarua (Waitotara). f Rangi Kauika (Ngamatapouri). Te Raho Te Mutu (Ohangai). Talmata (Hawera). Tonga- Awhikau (Normanby). Main (Normanby). Pouwhareumu Toi (Okaiawa). , Rangihuna (Manaia). Nulcu Tara whiti (Otakeho). R. Rangiira (Whenunlmra).. Iho Taniati (Okato). Te Kapua (Purangi). Tehata (New Plymouth). Raungaiti (Pungarehu). Accompanied by his private secretary (All' A. J. Conway), the Minister left, this afternoon on the return journey io Wellington.