EAST COAST NATIVE LANDS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5370, 22 January 1889, Page 2

EAST COAST NATIVE LANDS.

THE PROPOSED COxMMISSION.

The Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Herald telegraphs aa folllows :»-»

Some time since there was a good deal of inquiry as to the appointment of the

East Coast Native Lands Commission, whick was to investigate the contracts for the ptxr» chase of native lands on the East Coast* which had been suspended oh account of th© sudden change of native land policy that was

inaugurated in 1884 by the late Government. These are usually known as " the incomplete land transactions " between the Europeaas and natives. It was said that the Commission would ait in November or December. I am now informed that the Government wer« ready to nominate Commissioners at any time that business for its adjudication had been notified to them. The cost of the Comma, sion would be £10 to £15 a day, and the Go* vernment did not care to go to this expense until there was some business to be adjudicated upon. It is, I believe, a fact that no petitions have been sent in, and no caseH have been prepared with evidence to be Uid before such a commission. It is, of course^ known that there -were cases, the parties to which are eager to be heard, and if so they should have sent in their statements. Th« Government, I understand, decline to -pxtt the colony to the expense of attending upon the convenience of those whose claims may be immature, and prefer to wait a better opportunity of adjusting their complaint*. I do not know whether the recess is not too far advanced for the appointment of a Commission, which will have to deal with very intri. cate questions when it shall have entered upon its work. The above, however, is the real reason why it was not appointed shortly after the session. It is certainly reasonable on the part of the Government to expect that thero is bonafoh business for a Comniisedbo to do before they appoint Commissioners,