WAIKATO LANDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7853, 15 July 1911, Page 1

WAIKATO LANDS

BIG MAORI GATHERING CONFERENCE WITH NATIVE MINISTER. ARRANGED. special to the “times." AUCKLAND, July U. About 3000 Maoris are at present assembled at Waabi, just opposite Huutly, for the purpose of meeting tbo Hon. Sir James Carroll, Nativo Minister, to discuss matters connected with tbo settlement of the land of the Waikato. Immense quantities of food have been gathered ready for the visitors, and at the present time Waabi presents the appearance of a new rush on a goldfield, owing to it being a regular canvas town. Originally the Native Minister fixed July 10th as tbo date on which ho would be present, but subsequently tho time was altered to the 14th. Mr Carroll baa not yet arrived. Rangitiras have assembled from all parts of the North Island for the purpose of discussing tho land question at tho meeting. The meeting has been called to try and get tho Government to undo something that was decided upon without consulting tho Maori owners of the land. Some time ago the natives met,and set aside areas of. land under schedules—some to be sold outright, others to bo reserved for, the use of the Maoris, and still others to be leased, while a parcel ol 35 acres was sot asiue under the title of Mana, probably intended for the use of Manuta. Messrs A. G. Holland (now Judge of the Native Land Court) and R. W. i. Hallantyuc reported upon the suggestions of the Maori owners of. the land, and, it is stated, pretty well approved of them generally. The Maoris we.ro arranging to get the land surveyed, when tho whole thing was hung up for twelve months by an Order-ia-wouncil. To get this embargo .removed is the main object of tho present meeting. It is understood that there is a danger, if the embargo is not removed to enable the Maoris to deal promptly with their land, that they will simply lock it up again.