NATIVE LAND QUESTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16415, 21 June 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

NATIVE LAND QUESTION

PROGRESS TOWARDS SETTLEMENT STATEMENT BY MR HERRIES. AUCKLAND, June 1. A statement of the present position in regard to the Native land policy of the Government was made by the Minister of Native Affairs (the Hon. H. W. Hemes) in an interview. In referring to the activity that had been ehown during the past year, Mr Herries said: "The sections of the 1913 Act, which practically amalgamated the Native Land Courts and Maori Land Boards, came into operation on .March 31, 1914. As is the case with all new arrangements, some little tune elapsed before full working order was obtained, but in a very short time the benefit of the amalgamation was felt, and the admirably. In the matter of Native land purchase considerable progress has been made. An area of 96,000 acres has been purchased during the year, and proclamations, forbidding private alienation have been issued over another 100,000 acres, interests in which have been already obtained. Purchases have been, and are being, made; especially along the route of proposed railways, on the Stratford Main Irnnk line, on the Tanranga-Gisborne line, and; on the Napier-Gisborne line. In the last-mentioned case the titles of the Waikare and, Mohaka Blocks, which have long been a stumbling have been satisfactorily settled by legislation, and large interests have been purchaeed in the more important of the blocks, covering an area of about 45,000 acres. Purchase is going on in the Native lands north of Gisborne. where leases held by Europeans are now falling in. Large blocks here have been proclaimed, and are now being purchased. '.Hipy - contain some of the finest grazing land in the dominion, and are very suitable for cutting up. It is hoped that before long the East Coast will carry a large population of European settlers. Nothing has been done where the Natives are desirous of farming for themselves, and the blocks that have been incorporated by the Native owners for farming purposes have been exempted from the operations of the 1913 Act " Finality has at last been reached in the ascertainment of the vast Urowa Country, and the Native land purchase officers have been instructed to continue purchasing any interests that can be purchased in the block, in which the Crown las already interests. When all the interests that can be purchased have "been obtained the interests of the non-sellers will be cut out, the blocks surveyed, and declared Crown land. Numerous offers to sell have been received from Nativo owners in other portions of the Urewa country, and the Crown is prepared to deal with those offers provided a price can be agreed upon. Until the. Crown has consolidated its interests it would not be wise to throw open the land for private alienation; indeed, the surveys are not far enough advanced to permit of private persons buying. "Another great change is taking place on the West Coast of tho North Island, owing to the operation of 'The West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Act, 1913.' The old Parihaka wall has been taken down, and the West Coast Reserve is being partitioned by a court presided over by Judge Jack. By this moans the unleased portion of' the reserves can b3 settled by the owners with secure freehold titles. Besides this, in the 18,000 acres, tho leases of which came due lately, fresh loases have bwn given to last for 1C years, after which the load will revert to the Maori owners, who will then enjoy the advantage of tho partition. Meanwhile, the Crown can purchase, and is only •waiting for partition to -be completed to deal with numerous offers for sale that have been received. Some action is being taken in the Native township. Steps are beingtaken to acquire for tho Crown tho freeholds of Otorohanga and a portion of Taiunarunui. Negotiations have also been goiD- on with regard to Te Kuiti."