NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 351, 14 September 1889, Page 3

NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION.

STONEWALLING THE NATIVE LAND COURT BILL. DISCLOSURES OF WAIKATO LAND TRANSACTIONS. [standard special oobrespondknt.] Wellington, last night. The Native Land Court Bill was being considered in Committee nearly all the afternoon, and is expected to be on again thia evening. The clauses relating to the appointment of a Commission have not yet been reached. Stonewalling tactics are being pursued. Sir George Grey objects to the Commissioners having power to settle matters finally. He argues that they should report to Parliament next session, specifying the individual blocks. The passage of the Bill is much delayed owing to disclosures that have been made in reference to Sir J. Fergnuon's transactions in native lands in the Waikato district. Sir George Grey raised the question whether those lands would be affected by the present Bill. Sir Harry Atkinson stated that Crown Grants bad been issued, Mr Hutchinson showed that the lands were inalienable, and that grants should not have been issued as the lands were in the same position ae the Whangara. He quoted the case of McDonald v. Seymour.

The Opposition are making much of this. However, Mr Carroll and other Native Membars arfl. satisfied with the Bills and are sjfiermined to go on. I understand from very high authority that the Commissioner to ba appointed will be an able lawyer, in every way competent, but the name has not yet transpired.