MAORI WELFARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24085, 2 October 1941, Page 13

MAORI WELFARE

ANNUAL LEGISLATION RATANA PA CONDITIONS WIDE POWERS FOR BOARD (S.R.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday "This is the same old annual bill," said tho Prime Minister, the JU. Hon. P. Fraser. when the Native Purposes Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to-night. The bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. The Minister in charge of native affairs, the Hon. H. G. J?. Mason, said there were some genera! amendments making good minor deficiencies. There were also specific clauses relating to specific blocks, and finally a schedule of petitions to he relerred to the Native Land Court. Jurisdiction to make an order in favour ol the parties to a mixed marriage who wish to adopt a native child is given to the Native Land Court. Development of land by the Board of Native Affairs is the subject of another clause. There is provision to enable new development proposals to form the subject of an inquiry by the Native hand Court in open Court. With a view to ameliorating difficulties confronting the Health Department concerning sanitation, dilapidation and overcrowding in the Ratana Pa, there is to be constituted a Ratana Trust Board, which will manage the settlement land and adjacent lands. The board will consist of eight member-. six representing beneficial owners and adherents of the Ratana movement'. and two representing the Health Department and the Native Department . The Native Land Court may vest rhe land iu the board with the consent of the owners, and the board may subdivide, instal water supplies or sanitary conveniences, remove, erect or repair buildings and improve the settlement. Wide powers of local government are conferred on the board, whose general duty is to promote and conserve the moral, physical, educational, social and economic well are of the inhabitants of the pa. The board is also given rating powers.