NATIVE LANDS COMMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13390, 19 January 1907, Page 5

NATIVE LANDS COMMISSION.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE CHAIRMAN

SCOPE OF THE INQUIRY.

[itV telegraph, —press association'.]

Dunkdin, Friday. Ttik Premier, in the course of a speech at his reception to-night, announced that Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice) and Mr. Apirana Ngata, M.H.R., had been appointed members of the Royal Commission to deal with native land questions, and that on Ins return to Wellington the question of appointing a third Commissioner would be considered. Sir Joseph proceeded as follows:—"Without placing before von the whole of the Commission, I may give you the salient portions of it, from which you will .see. that it is not an ordinary Commission. The Commissioners are to inquire and

report: 1. What areas of native lands there are which are unoccupied or not profitably occupied, the owners thereof, and if in your opinion necessary the nature of such owners' titles and interests affecting same. 2. How such lands can best bo utilised, and .settled in the interests of native owners and pub'.ic good. 5. What areas, if any. of .such lands could or should be set apart (a) for the individual occupation of native owners, and for the purpose of cultivation and farming; (b) the communal lauds for the purposes of native owners as a body, tribe, or village: (c) for the future occupation by the descendants or successors of the native owners, and how much land can in the meantime be properly and profitably used ; (d) for the settlement by ] other natives than the native owners, and '; on what terms and conditions, and by what ! modes of disposition ; (e) for the settlement. : by Europeans on what terms and condi- | tions, by what, modes of disposition, in J what areas, and with what safeguards to prevent the subsequent aggregation of such I areas in European hands. 4. To report as to how existing institutions established amongst- the natives and ! the existing systems of dealing with native lands can best be utilised or adapted for purposes aforesaid, and to what extent or in what manner they should be moditied, and you are hereby enjoined to make such suggestions and recommendations as you may consider desirable or necessary with respect to the foregoing matters, and generelly with respect to the necessity I for legislation. The time fixed for the presentation of j the first report is not later than duly 15, j 1907. and the final repott not later than I January 1, 1909, or such extended date as j may be granted.