ALIENS IN THE NORTH..

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11763, 29 July 1916, Page 9

ALIENS IN THE NORTH..

PROTEST FROM MAORIS. A petition from thirty-six members of the Aponri tribe of Maoris, residing at Parengarenga, in reference to the Government's proposal to segregate all single unnaturalised gumwas presented to Parliament this" week by "Mr Tau Henare, M.P. The petition states that of iho Pa mi Era Company's property about 12,000 acres belong to ten Natives, it being leased to the company through the Maori Land Board at a low rental. Thepetitioners state that apart from their land, they have no means of earning a livelihood except bv gumdigp.ng. If these aliens are interned on this land tliev say: " There is nothing left to us but to leave the home of our fathers and seek a living elsewhere. The company holds this land for the making of profit which thev can only do by digging for gum. We are afraid if large numbers of Austrians are sent hero all the gum will be dug Gut, and the company will _ then throw up the land, leaving us without either gum or rent. We ask that the company he not. allowed to put Austrian* on- our land that has been leased from us. ,;