I.—3a.

1899. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: THE PROPOSED NATIVE LANDS SETTLEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION BILL (MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH PETITIONS RELATING TO). (Mr. R.M. HOUSTON, CHAIRMAN.) [In continuation of I.-3a., 1898.]

Brought up on the 3rd October and ordered to be printed.

EEPOET. The Committee are of opinion these petitions, together with the evidence taken in connection with the subject-matter thereof, should be referred to the Government with the recommendation that legislation be introduced this session to, as nearly as possible, meet the views of the Natives. The Committee also recommend that all the evidence taken be printed. 3rd October, 1899.

Petition No. 403.—Presented by Mr. Kaihau. To the Hon. the Speaker and Members of the House of Eepresentatives in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned Maoris humbly showeth: — 1. That your petitioners are aboriginal natives of New Zealand, who have been selected by the hapus and tribes of the Western Maori District as delegates to lay before you the serious grievances and troubles under which the Native race suffer in consequence of the existing Nativeland laws. 2. That these tribes are suffering great hardship in consequence of the operation of the Native Land Court and the present Native-land laws. 3. That, being desirous of saving the remnant of our lands for the use and benefit of our race, the tribes desire that your honourable House will take steps to pass laws to prevent the further purchase of Native lands. 4. That provisions be made for the leasing of such lands, as we have no desire that they should remain unsettled and prevent the development of the colony, to the detriment of both races. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray : — (1.) That all sales of Native lands be stopped. (2.) We further pray that in any proposed measures provisions be made for the election by the Natives of the members of a Native Council, and that the Council shall be authorised to manage and deal with their lands. (3.) That reserves be granted by the Crown to landless Natives who have been rendered landless either by confiscation or the purchase of their land by the Crown. (4.) That "The Native Land Court Act, 1894," be amended, and the Native Land Court abolished. (5.) There being an urgent necessity for the passing of legislation such as that prayed for before the present Parliament expires, your petitioners humbly pray that your honourable House will in its wisdom grant the relief desired, and, as in duty bound, will ever pray. Tupu Taingakawa and Another. I—l. 3a.