COMPENSATION CLAIMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 8 October 1928, Page 8

COMPENSATION CLAIMS.

| . ! s MAORI LANDS CONFISCATION. I I FURTHER COMMISSION SUGGESTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 0. The House of Representatives met at 11. o’clock, and immediately went on to orders of the day. the committal of the Native Washing-up Dill being the/first business taken. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) explained that the principal features of* the Bill was the recognition bv the Crown of extensile Maori claims, in both islands. A commission had reported that natives in the South Island were entitled to the sum of over £300.000. and a- more recent commission had reported on allowances to he made oil account of confiscated lands in the North Island. The Government intended to honour these claims, and was considering the best- means of financing them. He thought it would he best to raise sufficient- money to -buy claims right out, even if this meant borrowing to do so. Under tlie Bill a- hoard was set up to administer the settlement of these claims.

Mr. H. W. Urn (Southern Maori) said the Maoris of the South felt they were entitled to a grant made hv the commission of 1020. hut they knew the country was in fin a meal difficulty and were, prepared to wait. They had waited. Now they wanted their cake, raisins and all. He appealed to .all sections of the House to help the ■Maori. He said that in doing so they would he helping themselves. The Hon. Sir Anil-ana (Eastern Maori) said that if any European had had charge of the native claims he would have pursued' them in sea son and out, buji the natives had. in deference to +he wishes of the Governmentduring Hie war and in times of financial stress, deferred prosecution ,of the matter. Generally the native members approved of the recommeedntimis of the commission, hut- nersonal]\- he did not think the Bar of Plentv people had been fairlv treated, and he asl-od further consideration for them hv the Government. He entirely nporoved of the nmnosals in the Bill to encourage Maori industry on Maori land. Tim Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) approved of the provisions of the Bill generally, and expressed regret at the absence of Sir Maui Pom a re. through illness, from such an important debate. Mr. Ta.u Hennre (Northern Maori) said a compromise had been arrived at in connection with Maori grievances in various parts of the country. This, he hoped, would result in a peaceful settlement. He. however, honed another commission would he set up to inquire into grievances in his own. electorate which had not been inquired into by previous commissions. Air. Contes. in reply. expressed gratitude to the native members fnr the excellent work done by them in (securing consolidation of native titles. This enormous work had been done hv them without remuneration of any kind. and he. considered it was the dutv of the House next session to make provision to nay them ont-o.f-nockef expenses. He was .satisfied (•’•other commission should he appointed to clear up final grievances remain "m in the North Island, and it was his intention to set un a- small eommb+ee to endeavour to -settle mipst'ous in connection with King Cmmti”' lenses. The House acUmimed at 1 p m HU 2.30.