THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1907. BELATED LEGISLATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 58, 29 November 1907, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1907. BELATED LEGISLATION.

The closing hours of Parliament were responsible for the passing of the Maori Land Claims Adjustment aftd Laws AmgfijJmeflt PIJJ- A s ! n " dicated by the title, the Measure is that which has been commonly re-* ferred to as the " Washing up Bill." That some such legislation was very necessary was recognised by all, and

in making provision for the remedying of past blunders, the Government is only doing tardy justice to people who have suffered much loss through the carelessness and lethargy of those whose duty it was to protect and assist them. The chief feature of the Bill, as it affects the King Country, lies in the proviso for enabling leases from Natives to Europeans, which dealt with the interests of minors, to be completed. A number of transactions which were virtually completed, were hung up by the passing of a belated Act at the end of last session, and the unfortunate lessees have had to wait twelve months for power to enable them to legally enter into possession of land, which had cost a large expenditure of time and money to negotiate for. It is sincerely to be hoped that the Native Land Legislation, inaugurated during the session just closed, will be the means of leading to the settlement of the Native difficulty, and will not be allowed to get into such a state of entanglement as past legislation in the same direction. The settlement, on an equitable basis, of the question means much to the Dominion, and if the Southerners, who are in the happy position of being free from such vexatious subjects, could be brought to realise the importance of the matter, the solution of the problem would be accomplished much more quickly.

TE KUITI POST OFFICE. The question as to where the projected Post-office for Te Kuiti is to be erected, appears to be yet undecided, and unless the townspeople take steps to strongly recommend a site, there seems to be a prospect of the matter being shelved indefinitely. The present situation was undoubtedly created by the indifference of the Postal authorities in the first place, and the contention that they should take steps to meet the wishes of the residents may be sound. Still, the Na-tive-owned site recommended by the people wiil cost a considerable sum, and, if the wishes ctf the people are acceded to, the extra cost will 'probably be deducted from the vote for the building, to say nothing of the delay which controversy means. A suggestion that a site should be secured on the railway ground bears the imprint of common sense, and, if the necessary arrangements can be made with the Railway Department, there is every reason why such a suggestion should be adopted. The position is admirable and would meet the requirements of all. It is to be hoped that a move will be made to urge the desirability of carrying out the idea.