THE NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12166, 6 March 1909, Page 7

THE NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

REPORT PRESENTED TO THE

GOVERNOR

A TRIBUTE TO SIR ROBERT STOUT

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, March 4. Before leaving for Home, Sir Robert forwarded tp the Governor the final report of the Native Land Commission. During Sir Robert Stout's absence tha Senior Piasne Judge (Mr Justice Williams) will act as Chief Justice. This charge takes place automatically under thp Supreme Court'code. Speaking of the magnitude and importance of the work done bythe Statutes Consolidation Commission, in whose great work Sir Robert Stout took the leading part. Chief Judge Jackson Palmer, of the Native Land Courtj says: "In regard ■to the enormous amount of labour that has been devoted by tho Native Land Board Commission to the necessary preliminary work of the opening up of native land the People of the Dominion will realise its extent hereafter and they will then see that Sir Robert Stout and the Hon. Mr Ngata have made the most careful research into the question of tho best methods of throwing open native land for, settlement by Europeans and Maoris. Tho results will prove the value <>f tho work done. I feel sure that thoir labours will be of great benefit; to the country." Going a. little into detail Judge Palmer said that when the Commission was set up large areas of land on the special maps then p ©■ pared wore shown as native land not cultivated. There were large areas under informal leases to Europeans, leases that wer<^ not recognised by law. On theso lands stock was being run on tho natural native grasses. That country vas looked upon as being land of which tlie natives wero making no use. It ■» as said the natives were thus blocking European settlement. The Commission enquired into all these matters and the general public would, have been surprised to find tbe large areas, held by Europeans under, informal" leases. The Commission made many valuable recommendations to Parliament and if those recommendations are carried out there is no doubt a large area of land will be thrown open. As a result of the work of the Commission, following on the almost monumental work of the general consolidation of statutes, Sir Robert Stout boldly undertook (in connection with Chief Judge Palmer) tho dimcult tas kof consolidating the law relating to native land and native affairs generally. Speaking on this subject, Judge Palmer said": "This work involved tho consolidation of the laws relating to the native land court and its' proceedings. The laws affecting native Land Boards, the general disposal of native laud and all Taws concerning native reserves, trust lands and special and local Acts. All these laws liave had to be carefully scrutinised with the view of ascertaining what had become exhausted or obsolete, what nortions are still subsiding, and what *is the best mode of the repealing of all these statutes and substituting in lieu thereof a comprehensive enactment so as to save all past rights that are existing, so as to still ensure for those entitled to them the benefits under thp Acts to be repealed under the Consolidation Act." Chief judge Palmer bofe eloquent testimony to Sir Robert Stout's absolute devotion to hard workj even at times when he ought to have been resting.