NATIVE LAND BILL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12395, 16 December 1909, Page 5

NATIVE LAND BILL.

WELLINGTON, December 15, A deputation consisting of Messrs.. Gieenslade,. Jennings, Laurenson, McDonald, Te Rangihiroa;; and Parata waited upon the Premier to-day for the■purpose of urging that the Native Land Bill should, if possible be passed this session.

Mr Greenslade said that the Bill wa&—from the point of view of the Northern part of the Dominion, the most important measure now" before Parliament, .and if passed it would be the largest Act on the Statute Book. TheNative Affairs Committee, he said, had spent eighteen days itf. considering the measure, and the work:of translating:: the Bill into Maori, a work of great magnitude, had also to be. undertaken. - Professor Salmond, the law draughtsman, jiad also been occupied for soniermonths in framing the Bill. He hoped the Bill would be passed this year.

Messrs Parata and Te Rangihiroa urged that whilst great concessions were—in their opinion—being made to the Europeans by the Bill, the measure should, bo passed this year. Mr Jennings, chairman of the Native Affairs Committee, referred to theenormous amount of work that had beeitentailed upon the Committee in going;, through the Bill, and urged that it should be given precedence by the Government.

Sir J. G. Ward, in reply, said thafche recognised' the importance of thfe native land question, and whilst he would not commit.himself to any definite promise, he assured the deputation: that he would do his best to put the Bill" through this session.