NATIVE LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 344, 11 March 1911, Page 5

NATIVE LANDS.

ARIA NOT ALONE. That the Aria settlers are not alone in their agitation for the acquisition of native lands is demonstrated by the fact that about a month ago a large number of settlers were introduced to the Premier by Mr Hogan, M.P. for Wanganui, where they put forward a strong claim for the Government to acquire some of the expiring leases of large areaa of land at Kai Iwi for close settlement purposes. The following letter has been received by Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., from the Minister of Lands in connection with Aria requests, and contains that same old, obnoxious, and detestable story:—" I am in receipt of your letter of Bth January forwarding one from Mr Jame3 Collins, who writes on behalf of the Aria settlers urging that the Government should acquire native land in his district for closer settlement purposes. In reply I have to say that the full representations made by Mr Collins as to the conditions prevailng in his district have been noted by me. As regards the question of native land. I would point out thai under the Native Land Act, IOOP, no steps towards purchasing native land can be taken until the owner has informed the board appointed under the Act that he is prepared to sell. You will therefore see that, unless the natives concerned make the requisite notification to the Hoard, Government will be unable to take any action towards acquiring the properties, referred to in the correspondence."