NATIVE LANDS

Southland Times, Issue 21820, 24 September 1932, Page 5

NATIVE LANDS

HOKONUI DISTRICT.

IMMEDIATE PURCHASE UNLIKELY.

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

Wellington, September 23. The settlement of block native land in the Hokonuis which was first suggested by Mr P. A. de la Perrelle when a member of the United Ministry has come to nothing as yet, according to a reply to a question addressed by Mr Perrelle to the Minister of Lands in the House this afternoon.

In view of the unemployment situation in Southland and the necessity for finding reproductive work, such as clearing land of stump and timber, would the Minister expedite a decision in regard to the purchase from native owners of the area of milled bush land in the Hokonui district, Mr Perrelle asked. The land was ideal for settlement and was already served by road and schooling facilities. He added that evidence was not wanting that the sections would be readily taken up. “The native owners are not prepared to accept the Government valuation for these lands,” the Hon. E. A. Ransom said, “and inquiries are now being made whether the department would be justified in buying at the price asked by the owners.”