MAORI LANDS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11694, 21 October 1905, Page 5

MAORI LANDS.

PRESENT POSITION OF AMENDED BILL.

(From Our Parliamentary Special). (By Telegraph.) WELLINGTON, October 20. The Maori Land for Settlement Bill, which practically passed the House last night, has been materially altered from the original measure introduced last month. That bill -intended to place the whole of the North Island surphis Maori land in the hands of Boards appointed by the Government for administration purposes, lca&ing, mortgaging, and improving. This general principle was strenuously opposed in the Native Affairs Committee, resulting in the Native Minister being forced to compromise, to agree that the compulsory provisions of the Bill should only be operative in the Ehst Coast and North of Auckland Maori Land Districts, known respectively as Tairawhiti and Tokcrau. The remainder of the Maori lands in the colony are not affected by theso particular clauses. The fee simples of all lands in these two districts, that in the opinion oi' th.fi Native Minister are not required by the native owners for their own use arc, without even consulting the native owners, handed over to the respective Boards for the two districts for a period of fifty years. Such lands are to he administered as the Board thinks best, in the interest of both settlement and the Maori owners for the purpose of improving, cutting up, surveying, or any other necessary work. The Board may borrow money from private persons, or any Government lending department. Any retrictions existing against such proposed mortgage may be removed on the motion of the Native Minister alone as regards the other native land in the North Island, on the passing of this .Act all restrictions, conditions, or limitations against alienation by lease are absolutely removed. Any lease of Maori lands will then only need the approval or confirmation of the Maori Laud Boarfl. Such approval shall be sufficient authority for the registration of the lease, and subsequent confirmation by the Native Land Court will not be necessary. For the purpose of this Act, all native land shall be classified as: — First (64-0 acres, alienating area), second (200 acres), third (500 acres), and fourth (15,000 acres). Where the land is of poor quality, or cannot be profitably workpd in areas of less than 15,000 acres, power is given to lease it im any area that will ensure ita being taken up and settled. The third, and an important feature of the Bill, which was introduced by Governor's message, provides that the Crown may purchase any lands not required by the natives. The necessary restrictions 'and safe, guards were inserted in 'Committee last night, being as follows: — (1) The purchase money paid for any land so acquired shall not be less than the capital value of the land so assessed under the Government Valuation of Land Act. 1896 ; (2) that the Governor shall bo satisfied before the completion of the sale, or conveyance, that the natives alienating havo sufficient land left for their maintenance. Where the land purchased is all the remaining territory the Maoris possess, they may, bo given in exchange a sufficient area of Crown land, as will provide for their wants. It must be remembered that thesn powers of purchase do not apply to the two districts separately mentioned, Tokerau and Tairawhaiti. The strenuous objections which Wi Pere and Hone Heke raised against their districts being brought under the operations of this part of ,the Act resulted iv its not applying to those parts of the colony before January, "7905. It is evident that those two members are ignorant of the fact that under the existing law the Government is empowered to purchase Maori land at their own value, and without having first enquired if the natives so affected have sufficient land left for their requirements. It is considered that the amendments are undoubtedly in the interests of the natives.