CONFISCATED LANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 19

CONFISCATED LANDS.

CLAIMS OF SOUTH ISLAND MAORIS , WELLINGTON, October 10. . Discussing in the House of Representatives to-day the claims of the South Island Maoris concerning confiscated lands, the Minister of Native Affairs (Sir Apirana Ngata) said that although members of Cabinet and of Parliament generally were sympathetic, none had done anything to carry out the recommendations of the commission appointed some years ago to look into the question. The commission recommended that £354,000 should be paid. The. late Sir William Hemes had said that if the amount had been stated at £1,000,000 the Government would not have carried out the commission’s recommendations. However, a definite recommendation for a smaller but nevertheless specified amount had -been made, and it was difficult to get past that. A board had been set up for the purpose of carrying out negotiations with the Treasury concerning the amount that might be paid in settlement. Before the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) left for the Imperial~Conference he had authorised the Acting Prime Minister and himself to offer £50,000 in settlement, and that was the position as far as the claims were concerned at the moment. The offer had not been accepted by the South Island Maoris, and nothing would be done until the Prime Minister returned. It was certain that some payments would have to be made by Parliament. The appeal may have palled somewhat with time, but it did not get away from the fact that a manifest injustice had been done to the Natives of the South Island. It was hoped that when a definite decision had been reached a substantial payment would be made. In conclusion. Sir Apirana said it was intended to consolidate the Native land laws, and proposals along these lines would be submitted to Parliament next session.