A NATIVE LAND CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2294, 12 September 1908, Page 3

A NATIVE LAND CASE.

PETITION TO THE HOUSE.

[Special to “Times.”]

AVELLINGTON, Sept, 10. The Native Affairs Committee today reported regarding the Tukira lands between Napier and AVairoa. There was a petition against the recommendations of the Native Lands Commission and the_ legislation that was passed last session to give effect to these recommendations. A number of natives petitioned that they had not been heard with regard to the proposed lease to certain Europeans, and that the valuation placed on the land was not a true one. The Alaori Land Board was authorised by section 45 of the Alaori Lands Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act of last session to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission and the leases contained in those recommendations, when executed by the Board, were to be conclusive. The fact of the execution was to be evidence that they were in accordance with such recommendations and that all requirements of the law as to tho same had been complied with. Tho Board approved of the recommendations of_ tho Commission, but certain Native owners disapproved. Tho only course open to the latter, therefore, was to take action in the Court so as to prevent the execution by the Board until Parliament had been approached. This weapon appears to have been a twoedged svrord_for .it enabled the Native Affairs Committee to declare that no Parliamentary action should be taken until. tho petitioners had exhausted their legal remedies. The question therefore remains sub judice and even after the Supreme Court has decided the point further delay may possibly be created, for the case could be taken to the Court of Appeal, and even to the Privy Council. Trulv the devious wavs of native land legislation seem extraordinary to a mere layman.