CONFERENCE OF MAORIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 3

CONFERENCE OF MAORIS.

NATIVE AFFAIRS DISCUSSED. WELLINGTON. August 5. A representative conference of Maoris is at present being held in Wellington under the presidency of Te Hcuheu Tukino. The principal matter being discussed bean upon Native land legislation. The conference has communicated with tho Nativ* Minister and tho Native members of th« Legislature requesting “ assistance and support in preparing and passing any proposed legislation which will conduce to the benefit and betterment of the Maori race.” In a letter to tho Minister tho chairman of the conference intimated that th* Natives were meeting in order to discus# Native affairs and matters pertaining to tho Maoris generally and Native land legislation, and to suggest to the Government legislation which they considered necessary or expedient for tho betterment or benefit of tho Natives throughout tho dominion. The conference asked that legislation affecting Maori lands and the Maori people should bo referred to tho conference for suggested alterations or amendments which tho Natives considered desirable. They asked for drafts or proposed Bills early, enough to allow of tho conference's discussing the same. It added : “ The conference considers that if you (the Hon. Mr Harries) and your Government will assist and meet it in the manner above indicated legislation will result which will bo cf benefit both to the Native race and to the Government of New Zealand.”

In reply tho Minister said that ha would bo g.'ud to place before the conference any Bilk affecting tho Native race that will bo put before the House as soon as they were ready. With respect to the administration of Native lands the conference is at present discussing certain restrictions concerning tho leasing and soiling of Native areas. It is understood that certain of the delegates are of opinion that their rights and privileges are not being conserved, and they go back to the Treaty of Waitangl for support. While they want certain clauses in the Native Land Act amended, there is no desire it is said to do away altogether with the Native Land Board Another matter on which the conference socks solution is that which arises out of the confiscation of Native land in Taranaki as far hack as about 1664. In the alternative of their not getting some 18,000 acres returned to them, the Taranaki Natives are asking that they should have tho equal privilege with tho Europeans o( bidding for tho leases when these are resubmitted at auction.

August 7,

The provisions of the Treaty, of Waitangi are being discussed by the Maori Conference which is at present sitting su Wellington, with a view to seeing how far they have been infringed by subsequent legislation regarding the Native land questions. The Government, the delegates contend, wants to “ Europeanise ” their holdings and give the Maoris the freehold. The wise Maoris, it is stated, do not want the freehold, for they are opposed to selling their lands, and they are quite willing that legislation should be brought in to that effect. They also want to protect the foolish members of the various “ hapus ” from parting with their holdings. Further than that, under “ The Native Land Act, 1909,” five Maoris can sell a block of land irrespective of the i number of owners, and the conference wants this altered. The Land Board also has power to lease idle Native lands for 50 years, but the conference thinks thie should be reduced to 21 years. At the end of that time the Maori would perhaps want to work the land himself, and he should be given the opportunity if he so desires. The present system only encouraged him to sit down and wait for his rent, and made him thriftless.