WEST COAST RESERVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144359, 25 March 1914, Page 3

WEST COAST RESERVES.

MEETING AT OPUNAKE. A meeting of the loJLSehoiders under ■the 1881 Ac-, was held a 4 Opimaku on Alcmlav, March 23, for the purpose of cli.ci.ing ;. valuator under provis.cms m tluT Leasehokla;.;’ Committee apses;,km. Mr. 'l. P. Hfgtison, chairman c: the Leaseholders' Committee appointed to assist iegiiiation, occupied ii.e chair. there wore also present: .Mr. Budge (the secretary of tho organisation), .Mes-rs. Wilkinson and Okay, M.P.’a. -and Mr. Maxwell. There were a considerable majority of the 1881 leasehold trs present, together with several holding under the 1592 Act. Vito Chairman, at considerable Ifn.rth, explain;-'! tho processes to bo eijiie throw'll in order to obtain the benefits granted, urging leaseholders to v f'o uiiu pariu-uiur in tho fornudities ordained or they would bo unable to prove c* further. Ho then stales:! tho reasons why uo proxies could be received, and obtained an assurance from the meeting that tho whole laxly of leaseholders would support lltv candidature of the valuator which a majority of voters elee'ed. He them gave a resume of the work of his committee and pleaded for a speedy payment of tiie subscriptions of one penny per acre promised by ail West Const, reserves leaseholders to provide means for pushing legislation. He then asked Mr. Wilkinson to explain further what had taken place in I'arliament prior to the Acts being passed. Mr. Milkinson said the prominent feature of tho work had been to show that in tlio proposed legislation no injustice to the aboriginals was intended. This had been so successfully clone that the opposition of the southern members, which at first was excessive, disap* pea red. The Bill, as it finally wen. to committee, emerged without alteration, although there were several divisions. Tins fact was almost unique in Parliamentary history. During the whole regoi nil inns tho Cabinet had been on-lir.-ly desirous that Ibis difficult ptool.'m should ho solved, and he con..a,ored that both the interests of the leaseholder and the Native landlord had been equally considered, and that nothing had been done' which would boar tho stricl tires passed hv ignorant people on the work. Tho absurdity of some men he showed by stating that one had sail! thoir action's wore immoral. Mr. Wilkinson gave great praise to the able way in which Mr. Obey had worked with Him, and to tho assistance given by other Taranaki members, ami all members who understood anything of Native affairs. Especially he spoke of the great knowledge of tho question possessed by Mr. Maxwell, and the, great ability ho had shown, and assistance given, during the whole time tho Buis were being drafted and put through. Mr. Okcy endorsed the previous speaker's remarks, and said that during tho seven years ho hail boon in Parliament this question had been before him. He had worked on it as long as an ancient patriarch had worked for his wife, and ho anticipated tho results would he equally happy. Ho also spoke of tho great services of Mr. Wilkinson, other members, and Mr. Maxwell. Mr. Maxwell also gave a short resume of his labours, but drew attention to tho circular issued by the committee as giving fuller details than tuero was thou time for. The Chairman then called for nominations for a valuer. Messrs. J. Quinn, Jackson, and A. H. Moore were nominated, and each, on tho invitation of the leaseholders, gave a brief statement of his qualifications and experience. On going fo ballot, Mr. J. Quinn was elected by a very considerable majority, and, In accordance with resolutions and tho Act, will become the valuator on behalf of tho whole body of tho 1881 leaseholders. After tho election many interested filled up the necessary forms, inserting the valuer’s name, and the meeting terminated. Tho advent of the motor-car enabled leaseholders to bo present from all parts of tho lands hold, Wavcrloy and Tikorangi being equally represented with more central parts. It is quite possible, however, that had not an assurance of an immediate improvement in thoir position been imminent there would have been the same paucity of interest as was the case fifteen or sixteen years ago. It is probable that the organisation which has carried this important colonial work to so successful a conclusion will still lie maintained. It consists ol a committee of nine, three elected from each extremity of tho district and three from the centre. Of this Air. T. P. Hughson is chairman and Mr. Budge secretary.