NATIVE LAND LAWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14281, 1 August 1908, Page 10

NATIVE LAND LAWS.

NEED FOR REVISION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 31. During the discussion on the Statutes Consolidation Bill to-day, Mr Massey referred lo 111© need of consolidating the Native land laws, which lie said were in Biich si confused condition that; few people could understand them, and even the Statute Revision Commission had been unable- to consolidate them owing to their contradictory natur?. The simplifying and revision of these laws was the licxt important task that should ho undertaken. The Native Minister said that the Native land laws were working as well as they could be exepected to. In regard to the Native Land Court, he said that, notwithstanding the increase in the nunitar of judges, their work had more than doubled of late. The Maori Land Hoards wore actively in operation throughout the Dominion, and tile inorease of work done by them spoke well for their industry. The Native- Land Commission had also been most diligent in its labours. All machinery under the Native land laws was. open to those concerned, and it was being availed of by the public without any unusual hitches occurring. He 'agreed with Mr Mossey, however, that the consolidation of the Native land legislation was absolutely tieccssarv, but this was a work which those engaged on the- recent eosolidation had not imd time to take up. It should bo made a special work, and someone should he set to do it and nothing else until it was done.

In reply to the Farmers' Union deputation 'to-night, tho Prime iMinistor said that; it was improbable that there would bo ajiy extensive Native laud legislation this session. It would bo necessary to pass legislation and give effect to the recommendations of tlio Native Land Commission, but it was very improbable that tho Government would be able to do anything tliis year in regard to the individualization of titles, or tho grouping of lands as su, gestcd by the conference.