NATIVE LANDS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11127, 16 November 1907, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS.

"WASHING-UP" BILL.

(From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Maori Lands Claims Adjustment and Laws Further Amendment Bill, better known as the "Washing-up" Bill, proposes to make some important amendments m the law relating to native lands. Land vested m the Public Trustee under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act 1892 may be leased by public sale or public tender for a term not* exceeding 25 years, without valuation for improvement. In regard to the Maori- Land for Settlement Act, 1905, the amount to be spent on the administration of the Act is limited to 5 per cent of the income. The Board may not grant a lease of Maori land unless the proposed lessee makes a statutory declaration that he is legally qualified to become - the lessee of the land, that he is acquiring it solely for his own use and benefit, and not di- ; rectly or indirect!^ for the use or benefit or any other person. Section 20 of the Act of 1905 provides that the Governor may acquire any lands owned by Maoris by purchase from the Maori owners, or from a majority m value of. such owners if more than ten. The Bill proposes to strike out the reference to the majority m value of owners if more than ten. All land vested m a Maori land Board must be surveyed or subdivided into such areas as the Board with the approval of the Native Minister thinks suitable for the purposes of settlement. The land must also be' classified' as being either first, second , or third-class land. The Bill also provides that no One shall be capable of acquiring m any way any Maori land which will bring his total holding up to more than 500 acres, : This will not apply to the' acquisition of land by any executor, administrator, trustee, or beneficiary under any will or intestacy; nor will it prevent an assignment by way of mortgage. Every purchaser, oi* lessee of Maori land must make a declaration that he is legally qualified to become the .purchaser .or lessee and that he is acquiring the land -_k)lely for his own use and benefit.. Power is also given to the. Board to, lease at a nominal rental Maori land as a site for a^ fruit preserving factory, dairy 'factory, cheese factory, or creamery, or for : any building required for any .religious, charitable, educational, or public purpose.