“TWO YEARS AGO”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9722, 26 July 1917, Page 5

“TWO YEARS AGO”

ft NATIVE LAND CASE AN INQUIRY ASKED FOR. The Hon. AV. H. Hcrries (Minister for Native Affairs) was asked yesterday by Air J. T. M. Hornsby, ALP. for Wairnrapa, whether he could get a date fixed for the inquiry into the native land case in which AV. B. Channels and Air Board were interested. Ho understood that a Commission had been appointed, but legal proceedings had intervened.

Mr Harries: “It is quite true that a Commission was intended to ho sot up. In fact, a gentleman was named who was to act on the Commission.”

Sir Hornsby: "Yes, two years ago.” Air Henries: “But since then legal proceedings had been taken by tho solicitor acting for the natives concerned.” He believed the proceedings had finished in a manner-very satisfactory to the natives concerned. Ho understood, also, that the Law Society had taken up the matter,( and that proceedings were to be taken in the Supremo Court. It would not bo right to set up a Commission to inquire into tho question until tho legal proceedings were over. But. as far as the Native Department was concerned, ho would then ho glad to consult Iho Alin-istcr-in-Cliargo of the Public Trust Department ns to whether a Commission was desirable or not.