WEST COAST LESSEES' LEAGUE.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 15 October 1895, Page 3

WEST COAST LESSEES' LEAGUE.

(to the editor.) Sir, —Being the only delegate left at Wellington to represent the League, I forward you a report of our proceedings, hoping that, through the medium of your columns, other papers circulating in our district may copy it for the information of all concerned. On our arrival in Wellington on Thursday, 12th August, Mr McGuire obtained for us an interview with the Hon the Premier, to whom we explained our position. The interview did not terminate very satisfactorily through the want of tact shown by Mr McGuire. The Hons the Treasurer and Minister of Lands were also interviewed, with whom wa left an abridged form of our petition, which Messrs G. Hutchison and McGuire considered as more likely to obtain favorable consideration, Mr G. Hutchison strongly recommending such a course, as he considered our petition was asking for too much to succeed. We had introductions to prominent members of the Opposition, but did not use them, because Mr McGuire said that they would favor our petition. The Hon

the Minister for Education received us, and our interview terminated very favorably. He was very courteous all through, and interested himself by going into details, attending meetings of committee, giving evidence, and asking questions of witnesses ; in fact, made a searching enquiry into the whole question, and before I left said that he would do all he could for us. He is a gentleman who is not satisfied with a bare outline of anything. Were he our member we should be in good hands. The petition was presented to the House by Mr McGuire, and through the agency of Messrs McGuire and E. M. Smith it was referred to the Waste Lands Committee. This was a great advantage, as its members are members of Land Boards in their respective districts, therefore practical men capable of dealing with our petition and evidence in a practical manner. A shorthand reporter was in attendance to record evidence, and it occupied four days to get through, the committee's working hours being from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., terminating on the 28th of August, with not one member of the committee approving of the Trustee's action. Had it not been for the banking legislation then debating, the following week might have seen it before the House with a more favorable ending, although many think that we should not expect more in one session. Owing to pressure of work the reporter could not transcribe his work; then it could not be printed, and when printed and circulated to members of the committee (owing to late—or early—sittings of the House) they did not meet for many days. At last a scratch committee was got to consider and adopt a- report to this effect, recommended to the consideration of the Governmeut and presented to the House. Mr McGuire moved that the report be referred back to the Committee because those who heard the evidence were not present at the adoption of the report. Ultimately it was moved and carried, that copies of the evidence should be printed, and a copy placed in the hands of every member of the House, and debated by the House on Tuesday Bth instant. Up to half-past ten on Tuesday night it was not circulated, and a few members thought it would not come up again this session. That the Government had promised to take action, which they considered a good result, you may go home satisfied with your mission. At my last interview with the Hon the Minister of Lands he promised that all natives living on their individual allotments should have their leases issued sc that they may be liable for local rating. This is the only distinct promise which I have had from the Ministry. What is comprised in the general term action's time will evolve. Leaving a memo, on the Premier's table, which appeared ?n your issue of 11th instant, I left Wellington on the 9th, arriving here on the 11th, being absent two months and two days. There is one thing we must all enquire into. The Trustee claims to have nearly 100,000 acres of land let. We only represent about 54,000. We must get all to join; union is strength. Then on any future occasion the Trustee cannot say that we only represent a portion of his lessees. The nett expenses incurred by the delegates is under £25. Many will benefit far beyond their individual subscriptions, in addition to any measure that will be of general good by the action of the committee in forwarding the petition and evidence to Wellington, for that evidence is printed and, if not brought up in the House, it will be read by many as one of the most important for this session, with the Trustee's power curtailed. We may expect a few southern members to visit the district just before next session, to obtain a personal knowledge of the matter. Members to whom your delegates were much indebted for their courteous reception and close enquiry into the matter brought before them during their visit to Wellington, Mr E. M. Smith was always at call, most energetic in action, always willing to help, and on whom we can rely for support at any time. Whatever may be the outcome in the near future, we must continue to agitate and increase in numbers until we obtain a finality.—l am, &c, W. J. Wells, Treasurer W.C.L.L. Puniho, 14/10/1895.