EXTENSIVE MAORI CLAIMS TO LAND

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6733, 9 October 1928, Page 10

EXTENSIVE MAORI CLAIMS TO LAND

BILL OF RECOGNITION, GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO HONOUR REPORT. Per Press Association, WELLINGTON. The House of' Representatives met at 11 o’clock and immediately went on to orders of the day, the committee of the Native "Washing Up” Bill being the first business taken. The Prime Minister explained that the principal feature of tho bill was tho recognition by tho Crown of the extensive Maori claims in both islands. The comission had reported that the natives in the South Island ■were entitled to a sum of over £300,000 and more. Tho Commission had reported on the allowance to bo made, on account of confiscated lands in the Nortn Tho Government intended to honour these cMms and were considering tho best means of financing them. It might be best to raise sufficient money to buy tho claims right out, even if : ,this meant borrowing to do it. Under the bill a board was set up to administer the settlement of these claims. Mr Uru said that the Maoris of the South felt that they were entitled to tho grant made by tho Commission of 1920, but they knew the country was in financial difficulty, and they were prepared to wait. They had waited and now they wanted their cake, and the raisins and all. ’ Ho appealed to all sections of the House to help tho Maori ,and in doing so they would be helping themselves. Sir Apirana Ngata said that if any European had had charge of the native claims he would havo pursued them in season and out, but tho natives had in deference to the wishes of the Government during the war and in. times of financial stress, deferred prosecution of the matter generally. The native members approved to the recommendations of the commissions, but, personally, he did not think that tho Bay of Plenty people had been fairly treated, and,ho asked for them further consideration by the Government. Ho entirely approved of the proposals in tho bill to encourage Maori industry on Maori land.

The Leader of the Opposition approved of the provisions of the bill generally, and expressed regret at the absence of Sir Maui Pomara through illness, from such an important debate. c .

Mr Tau Henare said that a compromise had been arrived at in connection with the Maori grievances in various parts of the country. This, he hoped, would result in a peaceful settlement. He, however, hoped that anotherv commission would bo set up inquire into the grievances in his own electorate, which had not been inquired into by previous commissions. In reply Mr Coates expressed gratitude to the native members for the excellent work done by thr . in securing tho consolidation of the native titles. This enormous work had been done by them without renumeration of any kind, and he considered it was tho duty of the House next session to make provision to pay them out of pocket expenses. He was ’satisfied that another commission should be appointed to clear np the final grievances remaining in the North Island, and it was his intention to set up a small committee to endeavour to settle up tho question in connection with the King Country leases. /