MURIHIKU LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 19332, 26 August 1924, Page 8

MURIHIKU LEAGUE

WETERN DISTRICT BRANCHES. GOOD SUPPORT GIVEN. The secretary of the Maori Progressive League, Mr A. E. Wixon, has just returned from an organising tour of the Western District settlements. Good support was given the League in Riverton, Colac and Tuatapere, branches being formed in those centres. Over 100 new members were enrolled, and the movement taken up with enthusiasm. With regard to the omission of several southern Maoris over sixty years of age from the Ngaitahu claim, the League has sent the following letter to the Minister of Native Affairs:— We have the honour by direction on behalf of the members of the Murihiku Southern Maori Progressive League, to ascertain, with your consideration and approval, if persons under the age of twenty-one years are entitled to be beneficiary under 278, Ngaitahu claim. We desire also to enquire if the allotment, suggested by Commission to those persons of sixty years and over who have been omitted from any payment, are still entitled to payment on the same basis as those who have received payment. Attached is a list of those persons inadvertently omitted by Mr H. Uru, M.P., which were included on the list presented to him. Trusting, sir, you will forward us your most favourable reply.

The control of Native lands is under consideration of the League, and it is suggested that, without any interference to the Native Land Courts as to questions of titles, the control and management of all Native lands, tribal or individual, should be vested in a board of Native trustees or the League; men of integrity whose intimate knowledge of tribal relations and history, together with their personal acquaintance of land claimed by Natives in Southland, would enable them to deal with and manage these lands to the best advantage, that the Trustees or League should have control in all these lands vested in them by an Act of Parliament with power to lease up to approximately 42 years with farming, building, sawmilling, mining and other rights; to effect exchanges between owners or neighbours, native or European, and to allow valuation for improvements with the power of raising money for improvements.

That while the net revenue arising from the blocks of land shall belong to the owners of it, yet the gross revenue, arising from the whole of the Native lands administered by the trustees or League, should be subject to the following;— Cost of management 10 p.c. Medical services to. Natives 10p.c. Educational 10 p.c. Leaving a nett revenue to be divided of 70 per cent. In Southland the Native lands contain 110,320 acres, which, on the average, would produce 8500 feet of timber to the acre. This timber valued at 14/- per hundred superficial feet would return £971,200,000 or £59 16/- an acre. The value of the land at present is about £6,618,400. It is also suggested that the mutton-bird islands should be placed under the supervision of the League.