NATIVE LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 27 July 1907, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS.

COMMISSIONS' PROGRESS REPORT. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS, j Per Press Association. Wellington, July 20. The Native Lands Commissioners' reports were laid on the table of the House to-day. In addition to detailed reports on lands in the Wanganui and King Country districts, there is a general one dealing with interim reports as a whole, which contains the following recommendations: — 1. That the purchase of lands by the Crown under the present system bo discontinued.

2. That alienation by direct negotiation between owners and private individuals be prohibited (in each case provision to be made for dealings already * pending). 3. Further alienations only through the Board as agent for the owners, or in case of the hinds vested in it as registered owners of such lands. 4. Maori settlement as to lands set apart for Maori occupation and farming—powers to be given to the Board to regulate the use of these areas. Boards to have special powers as to to timber, minerals, etc. 8. The Board may offer lands after a rough survey indicating allotment; arterial roads may be laid out and formed where absolutely necessary before selection, cost of reading and survey to be loaded on the section—7. Boards to be constituted as at present, but we think that the Presidents

should be drawn from men experienced in the cutting up and letting of lands and should be Government officers paid by the Government, travelling allowances to be charged on revenue from land; each board to have a competent accountant as clerk and receiver. 8. The Govcrnor-in-Council may except lands from the operation of the above proposals on condition that the land so excepted be sold or leased ivt auction; exception may be made in favor of an owner who is considered able to manage his own affairs.

0. The jurisdiction that the Land Court be limited as to land*administered by tKe boiard in the matter of partitions, but not in regard to succession testamentary disposition, the ascertainment of owners or beneficiaries, and the adjustment of disputed tribal boundaries, the courts may partition on the application of board.

10. The law requires amendment to permit of exchanges on a large scale so aa to secure consolidation of individual and family holdings SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS These ore concerned with individual blocks. Stress is laid on the necessity for expedition in surveys of native lands, which is commended to the earnest attention of the Government and Parliament. The following is the area so far investigated, and reported on by the Commission:— Hawke's Bay—For Maori occupation and farming, 75,003 acres; for leasing, 14,827 acres; for sale, 2300 acres.

Wanganui—For Maoris, 40,964 acres; for leasing, 02,443 acres. King Country—For Maoris, 92,148 acres; leasing, 103,709 acres; sale 34,522. ' Total 520,977. There remains still to be dealt with —'Wanganui 90,485 avres, King Country 559,290 acres. The Commissioners say that if the Maori is to become an industrious citizen, steps will have to he taken to educate -him differently. They consider two things necessary. First, primary education should have an agricultural

basis; second, guidance and leadership should l>e provided by the State. It is required in the primary schools, and should be extended to the secondary, which persist in maintaining the ordinary grammar school course, not adapted to the present needs of the Maori peop'c. ■ The Commissioners also allucte to the evils of alcoholism, and to t'ohunga ism, which require combatting. In conclusion, they say the Arawas, Ngapuhis and leading men of Poverty Bay and the East Coast have pressed the Commission to visit them, and the Maoris in the North Island generally arc anxious that the Commissioners should hold detailed enquiry into their lands. The Commissioners are not yet in a po-

sition to make definite recommendations ns to rating taxation, and reforms in Native Land Court procedure and aJministration.