THE NATIVE MEETING AT WAIPATU.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1452, 9 January 1886, Page 3

THE NATIVE MEETING AT WAIPATU.

The native meeting at Waipatu concluded on Thursday. The Native Minister attended on Tuesday, _ Wednesday, and Thursday, and explained to the natives the provisions of tbe Native Land Disposition Bill. The meeting, which throughout has conducted its proceedings in the most orderly manner, proposed certain amendments in the Bills, the principal being the abolition of bids, the representation of a majority of owners, and to the charge of 5 per cent, also to the title of the Bill, which they suggested should be altered to a tl Bill for the Preservation of Maoris.” The meeting desired that the Commissioners should work with the Committee and that the Native Minister should amend the Bill in the direction they had indicated. Mr Ballance in his reply said that he considered the suggestions made by tbe meeting most valuable. The meeting itself was ’so thoroughly representative that its resolutions carried great weight. Some of the amendments proposed he could accede to at oaco, viz., the alteration of the title, which was a matter of comparatively small importance. The abolition of the bids also met his entire concurrence. The representation of the interest of minorities was a matter of importance that should be met. He would also endeavor to amend the system that Borne arrangements as to the disposition of the moneys should be made than lodging them with the Public Trustee. The desire of the meeting that the Native Committee should investigate cases of dispute as to the proportion of shares was also reasonable, and he thought the Committee might make the enquiry in the first place, and if the result was not satisfactory to the parties an appeal should be allowed to the Land Court. As to the 5 per cent, charge, he thought that was not unreasonable, and he would have to insist upon it. Subsequently a numbsr (of the leading chiefs expressed their confidence in Mr Ballance and the Government he represented, and also their loyalty to the Queen, wishing Her Majesty and all the Royal Family long life and happiness.