MAORI CLAIMS ON LAND

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1928, Page 11

MAORI CLAIMS ON LAND

FINDINGS OF COMMISSION LARGE SUMS IN COMPENSATION. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 6. The House of Representatives went into committee on the Native WashingUp Bill. The Prime Minister explained that the principal feature of the Bill was recognition by the Crown of extensive Maori claims in both islands. A commission had reported that the Natives in the South Island were entitled to a sum of over .£300,000, and a more recent commission had reported on allowances to be made on account of confiscated lands in th© North Island.

The Government intended to honour these claims and was considering the best means of financing them. It was money to buy the claims right out, even thought to be best to raise sufficient if this meant borrowing to do it. Under the Bill a board w T as sift up to administer the settlement of these claims. Mr. Uru said that the Maoris of the South felt that they were entitled to the grant made by the commission of 1920, but they knew the country was in financial difficulty, and they were prepared to wait. They had waited, and now they wanted their eake, raisins and all. He appealed to all sections of the House to help the Maori. In doing so they would be helping themselves. Sir Apirana Ngata said that if any European had had charge of the Native claims he would have pursued them in [season and out, but the Natives had, in .deference to the wishes of the Government during the war and in times of financial stress, deferred prosecution of the matter. Generally, the Native members approved of the recommendations of the commission, • but personally he did not think that the Bay of Plenty 'people had been fairly treated, and he asked for them further consideration by the Government. lie entirely approved of the proposals in the Bill to encourage Maori industry on Maori land. > The Leader of the Opposition approved of the Bill generally, and expressed regret at the absence of Sir Maui Pomare, through illness, from such an important debate. Mr. Tau Henare said that a compromise had been arrived at in connection with the Maori grievances in various parts of the country. He, however, hoped that another commisssion -would be set up to inquire into the grievances in his own electorate, which had not been inquired into by the previous commissions.

Mr. Coates expressed gratitude to the Native members for the excellent work done by them in securing consolidation of Native titles. This enormous work had been done by them without remuneration of any kind, and ho com sidered that it was the duty of. the House next s ision to make provision to pay them out of pocket expenses. He was satisfied that another commission should be appointed to clear up the final grievances remaining in the North Island, and it was his intention to set up a small committee to endeavour to settle questions in connection with the King Country leases.