NATIVE LEASES.
Mr W. J. Wells, of Puniho, informs us that there is to be a meeting of native lessees at Puniho on to-morrow evening, when lessees from Wajhr'are to be in attendance, It is tlwfwish of the promoters that there should, if possible, be representatives from Opunake and the Plains present. The object of the meeting is to form a union or league to look after lessees' injjeVe«ts, and endeavor to get the law
amended so as to deal out justice equally. The suggestion is to appoint a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, and form a fund by requiring each holder to contribute one shilling for every 100 acres held. One of the main planks of the league will be to urge on the Government the desirability of making all native lands Growa lauds, so as to convert lessees into Grown tenants, and grant them like privileges as other Crown tenants enjoy. We do not see why, after making sufficient reserves for natives, this system of purchase should not be adopted. If the Government wish to retain their paternal care of the native race they need not pay them over the money, but could pay the purchase money by means of debentures, which would bear interest to represent the present rents. We feel satisfied that the natives even would prefer this system, as they would then know exactly what their income would be. If the Government wish to confer on the natives the unearned increment they could issue further debentures when the revaluation takes place on the expiration of the present leases. We know of no good reason why a section of natives on this coast should be treated in any way different to those in other parts. The best motor to produce reform is agitation, and unity amongst those who feel the oppressors' heel. We hope that the league will be taken up spiritedly, and then success will be sure to crown it.-* efforts. Any leaseholders from this part who can should attend the preliminary meeting tomorrow evening and give the project a good start.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OPUNT18950705.2.9
Bibliographic details
Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 105, 5 July 1895, Page 2
Word Count
347NATIVE LEASES. Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 105, 5 July 1895, Page 2
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in