THE MAORI MEETING

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11539, 28 March 1898, Page 6

THE MAORI MEETING

THE NATIVE LAND QUESTION. [Per Press Association.] * " AUCKLAND, March 26.

At the Native meeting at Huntley the Ministerial party was entertained at dinner in-the large eating house, and received a right royal welcome. Next Tuesday is the day upon which matters affecting the Natives will be discussed, and by that time the King’s Executive will have overcome difficulties and decided upon a definite course of action. It is the intention of the King to invite the Premier to be present before the gathering breaks up. It is expected that he will he present at the Huntley Conference about April 4. Prom inqxxiries instituted in connection with; the Native lands question, important ’ proposals will probably bo submitted by the Goverment. Details are not ascertainable, but it is understood that the three principal features of the Goverment’s proposals iu this connection are : —First, stopping the sale of Native lands, either to the Government or private purchasers; second,-the leasing of the balance of Native lands where -they cannot he ‘profitably occupied by the Natives themselves by the medium of some easy and inexpensive method, by. w^ich)titles may be assured and at the same time the best rents obtained for the benefit of the Natives. With regard to the third proposal, it may possibly be in the direction of establishing hoards for the purpose of administering Native lands. In the working out of this it is said to he the Government’s idea to give due observance to that class of lands held under exceptional titles. It may he necessary that special provisions regarding these should be made, so that no injustice would he done to certain individual owners of Native lands who may or may not have more or less contracted with Europeans.