MURIHIKU LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 19345, 10 September 1924, Page 9

MURIHIKU LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING. VARIOUS QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. The monthly meeting of members of the Murihiku League was held at Bluff on Saturday evening last, the Chairman, Mr J. W. Wixon, presiding. Considerable discussion ensued in regard to the replies received from Mr W. (Jru, M.P,. concerning the draft of the Ngaitaku tribe’s claim and the secretary was instructed to forward a communication to Mr P. A. de la Perrelle, M.P., to ascertain the position as a result of the Minister’s reply. Letters from Hon. J. G. Coates and Mr Perrelie regarding the Kaumatua allowance were received with applause, and it was decided to forward a further draft as a petition that females should benefit also, as they had contributed towards the cost of prosecuting the claim. A suggestion from the Hon, John Topi Patuki, M.L.C., in connection with the utilisation of landless native land was ruled out, the Chairman deploring the fact that the 10 per cent taxes for both education and medical service were still being enforced in respect to lands held by the Government through lease. The Chairman i-lso spoke strongly on the question of the interest charges arising out of the sale of Stewart Island, and said that nobody knew how the money was expended, unless it was in the hands of the Trustees, who were unable to act. Mr T. Spencer endorsed Mr Wixon’s remarks, and said that it was totally unfair that the natives should be compelled to pay a 10 per cent tax for education of their children, while Europeans received the same privileges free of cost. Mr T. Spencer was appointed Vice-Presi-dent of the League, and Mr H. Patuki an additional trustee. Consideration of matters in regard to the mutton birding industry was allowed to stand over until September 20, when a special meeting of all those interested is to be held, with a view to a comprehensive scheme being drawn up and submitted to a meeting of the Executive, to be held a week later in Invercargill. The question of framing a policy in regard to landless native areas was referred to the Executive for action.