The Native Land Question.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6751, 4 February 1892, Page 3

The Native Land Question.

(Br Temobaph.)

WELLINGTON. Feb. 4,

Major Kemp, in view of the recent Native meeting atJParakino, is circulating among tho Maoris of the North Island a petition to the House of Representatives in which the demands of the Natives with respect to their land are set forth. Practically the following demands are embodied in this document, translated by Colon. 1 MoDonell: —l. Native lands to bs conducted under leases, for time leases on improvements and on other terms winch may bo benefieial to those o * a'.ng land. _ fter all leases expire the land to return to tho owners with all improvements. 2 To be selected from tribes, members for Committees not to exceed twelve, who will appoint a Chairman under whom they will act, and they will conduct all matters concerning Native lands in future, such as surveys and law matters and leases that may be entertained by the tribe or tribes whose land or lands are under the Committee, S, Tho Parliament of New Zealand is to make these Committees law. 4. Parliament shall appoint a person or persons to decide rehearing:’, 5. Parliament shall proclaim districts, and appoint the respective Committees, and the conductine of business shall be in accordance with tho ancestral boundaries of the respective tribes. 6. All precious meatls [and valuable stones found on Native lands shall bo dealt with by Native owners. 7. Rates shall be paid by the lessees of the lands, and be equal to 2i per cent of the moneys paid to the lessor per annum. The rates shall be paid yearly. When the lease is up all rates shall cease to be levied on land that is not under lease to anyone, 8. All Native Land Court laws shall be utterly abolished and done away with, and all parsons administering the same, or who ore working under, its laws.