NATIVE LANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2278, 25 August 1908, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS.

ANOTHER PETITION FROM MAORIS. REQUEST FOR SELF-CONTROL (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, August 24.

As an outcome of the recent conference of the Maori Association, a petition signed by about 40 representative natives in all parts of New Zealand lias been presented to Parliament. The petitioners pray that the Native Land Settlements Act 1907, be repealed, which empowers tho Commissioners appointed Hinder itlto <xmfiscato (“muru") the land of tlio Maoris. They also pray that aii Government aiid private purchases of native lands under existing laws shall immediately cease, and that the right to administer their own lands shall he vested in the Maoris as follows: (a) J lie natives shall have power to lease their lands, either by private treaty °, r by public auction; (b) the natives snail have power to raise money on their lands by mortgage with a view to improvement of their holdings on condition that three-fourths of tho amount raised mast be spent on improvements on the land; (c) that a branch ofhee shall be established in Wellington for tile purpose of advancing money to Maoris on their land, the officers to see that three-fourths of the money advanced is spent upon improvements.