HELPING MAORI FARMERS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1928, Page 15

HELPING MAORI FARMERS

POWERS GIVEN LAND BOARD PROVISIONS IN WASHING-UP BILL. SETTLING MAORI WAR DISPUTES. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The Native “Washing-Up” Bill contains several matters of general interest, affecting the Native race. Authority is given for the Maori Land Board to encourage Maori industry or agricultural and pastoral business. To this end the board may purchase stock and agricultural implements and all revenue derived from the conduct of agricultural and pastoral business is to be applied to paying rates, taxes and administrative expenses. Part of the revenue may be retained for a reserve fund for expenditure in the management of the business. Power is also given for the board to borrow on security of crops, stock or other chattels held by it and, with the consent of the Native Affairs Minister, upon mortgage of the whole or any part of its land. The board may make advances to any Native beiteficiary in respect of a share or interest in the profits of a business, either by way of anticipation or otherwise. The money advanced shall constitute a charge upon the land and the board shall fix the rate of interest. A further clause allows a Europeanised Native to revert to his Native status. The Bill gives effect to certain of the recommendations of the Confiscated Lands Commission. Parliamentary authority has to be given for the payment of money and when the Native Minister has given a certificate that the grievance has been settled no action shall be maintainable against the Crown. The certificate can be amended if the Minister be satisfied that a mistake has been made. Boards of management are to be set up to administer the funds granted by Parliament for the settlement of grievances and they may borrow from State departments or from a bank in order to assist in carrying on its duties. The board may farm land, lend money to Natives and others, and generally do all things that a corporate body may do. The Waikato-Maniapoto Maori Land Board is authorised to summon a meeting of owners of the Maketu block to consider a resolution to vest in Te Rata Maliuta an area of 2 acres 18 perches in which the “Tainui stones’ are reposing.