CONFISCATION OF LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20070, 6 October 1928, Page 15

CONFISCATION OF LAND.

COMMISSION'S PROPOSALS. POWER TO TAKE ACTION. BOARD TO MANAGE AFFAIRS. [nY TELEGRAPH. —special reporter] WELLINGTON. Friday. Provisions giving effect to tho recommendations of the Royal Commission on confiscated Maori lands arc incorporated in tho Native Washing Up Bill now before Parliament. It is . provided that all or any of tho recommendations may be carried out, either in accordance with the terms of the commission's suggestions or according to any modified, varied or extended terms deemed just or expedient. Where, however, payment of money is involved an appropriation from Parliament must first be obtained. A certificate signed by the Native Minister that a particular grievance has been adjusted is to bo accepted as conclusive evidence of settlement, preventing any future action against tho Crown on the matter. At tho same timo, tho Minister is given discretionary power to amend tho certificate where ho is satisfied that a mistake, error or omission has occurred. On tho recommendation of tho Native Minister tho Governor-General may constitute boards of management to assist in the administration of tho provisions of the legislation. Power is to be given the boards to borrow money, buy and sell properties and act as guarantors foi natives and loan moneys. RATES FROM NATIVES. PLAN TO MEET DIFFICULTIES. POWERS OF LOCAL BODIES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Friday. Discretionary powers to enable local authorities to overcome by compromise the difficulties thoy liavo met with in tho past in connection with the collection of native rates aro provided in the Native Washing Up Bill now before Parliament. The bill seeks to enable local authorities to accept in full payment and satisfaction of all rates duo such sums as they determino by resolution. A compromise so effected may extend to futuro rates, and in such cases the rates for the period set out in tho resolution shall bo deemed to be paid. The compromise may provide, also, for the exception of any special classes of land. Amounts received by the local authorities in this manner are to bo deemed to bo apportioned pro rata over tho various rateable proportions in respect of which the rates compromised aro levied, or in the caso of future rates are intended to be levied. It is emphasised tfiat no native shall bo liable for rates duo during the rating period over which a compromise extends. Compromises made in the past arc validated. PUBLIC RESERVES. USE FOR CAMPING SITES. MINISTER MUST GIVE CONSENT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER,] WELLINGTON, Friday. The House of Representatives agreed to-day to the amendments made by the Legislative Council to tho Public Reserves Bill. TT AT". The Minister of Lands, Hon. A. JJ. McLeod, said one of the alterations made, in accordance with "the promise he had given tho House, afforded an added saifeguard in regard to tho provision of camping sites on public reserves. The amendment made required the controlling authority to first obtain tho consent of the Minister before setting the land apart for tho purpose mentioned. HONORARY DEGREES. UNIVERSITY PROCEDURE. [DY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Friday. If amendments made to the New Zealand University Amendment Bill by the Education Coinmitteo are confirmed by tho House of Representatives prospective recipients of honorary degrees conferred by tho council will have to be lccommended by the Academic Board. A machinery alteration has been made to tho bill to enable tho council to delegate to its standing and special committees 'he power to confer degrees and diplomas