NATIVE TOWNSHIP TENURE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 639, 31 January 1914, Page 5

NATIVE TOWNSHIP TENURE.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACTION. At the annual meeting of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce, Mr Moatyn Joes, in stating that he considered that the meeting should place on record its views as to what had not been done with regard to freeholding the township. When Ministers had been here, roading and the freehold had been the two things sought for, and minor matters had been put entirely aside. Promises had been made with regard to the freehold, but so far as the layman he can see absolutely nothing bas been done. He moved, "That this public meeting of the Chamber of Commerce wishes ro strongly express its disastisfaction at the lack of legislation to facilitate the conversion of township sections from leasehold to freehold, when Maori owners are willing." Major Lusk, in speaking to the motion said that when a native had been offered and had accepted an offer for bis land, it should be mandatory that the president or the board should pass it. It must be of advantage to the native. The land would never go ba k to the native and the price offered were in advance of the capital value of the rents. He seconded the motion. Mr G. Elliott also spoke in support of the motion, which was carried.