G.-i.

8. The Conference requests the Government to enact such legislation as will enable it, after a report of any Maori Council, to preserve for a due season any fishing-ground for the Native people. 9. The Conference urgently begs the Government to strengthen the hands of its officials, and to put in motion the most stringent existing legislation in order to prevent the sale of spirits to Native women. 10. The Conference considers it expedient to abrogate the present Native School Committees, and in lieu thereof to authorise the various Village Committees where such schools are situated to compel parents to send their children to school, and thus insure a more regular attendance.

No. 6. A Neiuspaper for the Maori Councils. 1. The Conference considers that some newspaper should be subsidised to insure the publication of the proceedings of all the Councils established under " The Maori Councils Act, 1900." 2. The following are the subjects that it is necessary should be published : — (a.) The reports of the proceedings of the Maori Councils established under "The Maori Councils Act, 1900." (b.) The publication of correspondence relating to the work of such Councils, (c.) The publication of such extracts from the New Zealand Gazette and Kahiti as are necessary for the well-being of the Native people, also messages of advice and warning from the Government. (d.) Explanations of the meaning, purport, and effect of all legislation more particularly affecting the Native people and the Maori Councils. (c.) The advice and instructions issued by the Health Department on all matters relating to public health. 3. The editor of the newspaper to be selected by the Conference. 4. The remuneration for the paper to be arranged as follows : — (a.) Bach Maori Council to subscribe £5 annually toward the support of such newspaper. (b.) Subscribers willing to pay ss. per annum to forward that amount to the Council of the district. (c.) In the event of private subscriptions not reaching the limit of £5, then each Council must vote from its funds a sum sufficient to make up the amount. (d.) If the total subscriptions received in any district amounts to more than the £5 subsidy, the balance to be paid into each Council's account, and a statement of the amounts to be sent to the Superintendent. (c.) In case the total sum so collected amounts to more than £120 the General Conference must decide as to the disposal of the balance. (f.) All persons desirous of obtaining copies of the newspaper should apply to the Chairmen of their respective Councils, who will submit their names to the editor. 5. The account of all moneys paid to such newspaper must be kept by the editor, must be open to inspection when necessary, and must be published quarterly.

No. 7. Noxious Weeds.

Seeing that the local bodies have brought before the Maori Councils the question of noxious weeds growing on Native lands, the Conference considers it advisable to suggest some regulations on this subject for the better guidance of the Maori Councils. Therefore these resolutions are submitted to the Hon. the Native Minister for his consideration :— 1. Every six months the various Maori Councils are to direct the Village Committees in their respective districts to send reports on all Native lands where weeds that have been proclaimed as noxious by the proper authorities are known to exist, together with the names of the occupiers or owners of such land as the case may be. 2. At the first meeting of the Council immediately after receipt of such reports and the due consideration thereof, and it having been clearly shown chat certain lands are in danger of being overrun by deleterious weeds, the following steps shall be taken : — (a.) The Chairman of the Council shall issue a public notification to the owners or occupiers of such lands, calling upon each and every one to eradicate, root up, burn, and destroy all such noxious weeds within the time specified by the Council. (b.) At the expiration of the period so fixed by notification the Chairman shall personally inspect the lands mentioned, or direct a member of the Council in that behalf to see whether the instructions have been carried out, wholly or in part, and to make such report thereon as the case merits. (c.) After consideration of such report, if it shall be shown that the instructions have been disobeyed, the Chairman shall issue summonses to the persons charged with neglect, calling upon them to appear before the Council to show cause why they should not be fined for non-compliance with the instructions of the Council. 3. The penalty for disobedience of the same to be not less than £1 or more than £10. 4. In case of noxious weeds being proved to be growing in any village or pa or upon lands, whether papatupu land or held by Crown grant, whether held as tenants in common or individualised, the ownership must be ascertained and determined by the existence of cultivations, fences, &c, and the owners or occupiers must be made responsible accordingly for the due carry-ing-out of the Council's instructions.

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