G.—B.

2

Wednesday, 30th August, 1911. The Conference resumed at l<) a.m., all delegates being present. Law Officers' Opinion. —The following opinion in regard to section 5 of the Maori Councils Amendment Act, 1903, was read :— Section 5 of Maori Councils Amendment Act, 190 S. 1 am of opinion that where a Maori Council has, under section 5 of the Maori Councils Amendment Act, 1903, delegated its powers to a Koiniti Maine, then it cannot consider and adjudicate on any offence against the by-laws in respect of which it has delegated its powers. The Council can either investigate breaches of by-laws and impose fines for such breaches, or it can delegate those powers to a Koiniti Marae; but both the Council and the Komiti cannot exercise those powers ai the same time. The Act does not provide for concurrent powers of dealing with breaches of by-laws. The Council can at an} - time cancel its delegation either in respect of all its by-laws or in respect of any particular by-law where it wishes to deal with breaches of that by-law itself. Where the Komiti neglects or refuses to take action in respect to the breach of a by-law, any person could bring the matter before the Council. If the Council considers it a matter in which it should take action, it should first cancel its delegation to the Komiti, and then it could investigate and deal with the matter itself. E. Y. Redward, Crown Law Office, 30th August, 1911. Assistant Law Officer. Adjournment. It was resolved that the Conference adjourn till 2 p.m. to enable the subcummittee appointed to bring up reasons for continuance of Acts to prepare its report. The Conference resumed at 2.30 p.m., all delegates present. Sub-Committee's Report. —The sub-connmitee appointed to draw up reasons for continuance of the Maori Councils Acts and the Councils appointed thereunder brought up their report, of which the following is a translation : — The sub-committee set up by the delegates from the Maori Councils of both Islands begs to report to the Superintendent and the Conference as follows : — A. What are the advantages derived from the provisions of the Maori Councils Act, L9OO, and its amendments, or more particularly from the Acts which provided the Kingite Maoris resident in this Dominion with a measure of local self-government in their own district? So far as your committee can see it appears to be quite clear (hat the Maori people have great respect for the provisions of the Acts, and the various Councils and Komitis Marae are assiduous in carrying on the work for which they are authorized, as this witnesseth : — 1. All of the old Maori whales have been done away with, and have been replaced by wooden buildings in all the pas and villages. 2. All of the pas, residences, and tnaraes, together with their latrines, have been tidied up and improved. .'!. Drinking-waters at the pas and settlements have been made good. t. Animals have been shut off from the maraes. .">. Waters used for steeping Indian corn (kaanga piro) at pas and settlements have been absolutely abolished and the practice discouraged. (i. Grog has been prohibited from pas and settlements, and fines strictly imposed upon persons committing breaches of the Act in this respect. 7. Gambling of all kinds has been prohibited. 8. Tohungaism has been prohibited strictly, and is not carried on as formerly. !). The evils arising out of the holding of tangis have been greatly reduced, and are being gradually done awaj with. 10. Owing to the activity of the Komitis Marae and the Councils local troubles and petty crimes have greatly diminished. 11. Burial-places and everything in connection with the dead are being carefully attended to by the Councils. 12. Maori dogs are being registered as provided for in the Act. r lhe above facts sufficiently evidence the benefits derived from the Acts by the Maori people, but the following may be added : — 13. The latest census shows that the Maori population is increasing steadily. This is veiy important. I I The Maori schools are doing good work, and the attendance of children is on the increase. ' ■ 15. The Maoris are becoming more and more industrious in all parts. That is due to the Maori Councils Acts and the good work done by the various advocates for industry. Your sub-committee therefore earnestly asks this Conference to urge upon the Hon. Sir James Carroll, Native Minister, as follows: That the Maori Councils Act, 1900, and its amendments be protected in the interests of the Maori people of New Zealand, and that he gives his support to any measures calculated to improve and benefit the Maori people. Sufficient. (Signed by the members of the sub-committee.) On the motion of Taiawhio te Tan (Rongokako), it was unanimously agreed to adopt the above report. The Hon. Mr. Ngata submitted a number of questions, and the same were discussed and dealt with, as follows : — 1. Registration of Births and Deaths. —(fl.) Is it advisable that the Councils continue registration by their own Registrar, or should they take advantage of the European registration system? (6.) Is it the wish of the Maoris generally that registration should be compulsory, and tiint any neglect to register be met by imposition of fines?