NATIVE CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15333, 16 June 1910, Page 4

NATIVE CONFERENCE.

MAORI LAND SETTLEMENT. (.Ter Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 15. Addressing the Native Conference at "Waahi, Air Houare Kaihau, M.P V discussing tho question of financing a slieme for the settlement of Maori lands, said that tho ijale of tho blocks scheduled under the liiana could not defray everything. He suggested, that in all leasing transactions the Council should receive 5 per cent—half to lie paid by the lessees and half by tho lessors ; but on all lands sold the Council should receive 10 per cent—s per cent from the vendors and 5 per cent from tho vendees. Thus, from the sale cr lease of 400,000 acres the District Councils would not lack funds. In the event of the Government failing to perform its part tho Natives should raise by subscription, or by other means, the money necessary to carry out these ideas. By so doing they might make the Government for the time forget that there was such a word as Taihoa connected with Maori policy. Tho meeting decided that all the Native land not partitioned under tho scheme should still he included. This would mean that another 500,000 acres, perhaps more, would bo mado available for immediate settlement, if the Government would grant the powers that were requested and were necessary.