I.—3a

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morning, and we have had Mr. Hone Heke's views. All this has been taken down by a reporter, and it appears to me the Committee will not have much difficulty in deciding upon the course to adopt, and of reconciling the different opinions expressed by those Maori members ; and I think it would facilitate matters if the Committee will agree to take these views as expressed by the Maori members, and devote a morning in the endeavour to reconcile them where there is any difference of opinion, and to agree upon one common platform as to what legislation may be introduced to meet the views of the Natives. It appears to me that there is one common ground of grievance amongst these views, with regard to the future disposal of their lands. If the Native members have expressed the views of the Natives in their districts, it is quite evident that the desire of the Natives is to stop the future sale of Native lands. That seems to be the unanimous wish of the Natives. Then, again, I think they are unanimous in their ideas to bring about some way of managing their lands differently to what obtains at the present time. There seems to be a slight difference of opinion as to how that is to be brought about; but, to my mind, the difficulties are not insurmountable, and, if they go on the principle of yielding a little, I believe the Committee will have no difficulty in reconciling what is apparently the difference of opinion between them. Now, I think if the Committee would agree to meet together with the one object of endeavouring to bring about a unanimous desire with regard to the different views expressed by the Natives, I believe the Committee would arrive at some conclusion which will be acceptable both to the Natives as well as to the Europeans. Ido not think the Committee should have any difficulty in dealing with the details of the scheme proposed to bring about the desire of the Natives with regard to their land. These are the lines for the Committee, and we will be glad to hear any of the other members express their opinions with regard to the best course to be pursued. Hon. Mr. Carroll] I do not suppose that we can go fully into the consideration of the question to-day, but I see Mr. Kaihau has expressed his ideas in a list of clauses contained in the paper now before the Committee. I think there will be, before we meet again, ample opportunity for Mr. Wi Pere and Mr. Heke to submit similar abstracts representing their ideas on the different questions, and we will take the three together the next day the Committee meets, and-go through them as well as we can.

Clauses proposed by Mr. Raihau, M.H.E.

WESTERN MAORI ELECTORAL DISTRICT. Council of members to be constituted for the. Western Maori Electoral District. ' Council to have power — (1.) To appoint hapu or tribal Committees within the Western Maori Electoral District; (2.) To investigate titles, partitions, ascertain shares, appoint successors, and make orders for same. Orders to be forwarded to Native Land Court, and gazetted; if no appeal within two months, Judge Native Land Court to seal, sign, and issue same. If appeal lodged, Native Land Court to rehear case, and its decision to be final. Council may delegate claims to local Committee to investigate and report on. Council may adopt or vary any report of such Committee, or refer it back to the Committee or to some other Committee for further consideration. No land to be alienable by sale or mortgage to the Crown or private persons except by consent of the Council, and the Council shall not consent to any such alienation until there has been reserved for each owner sufficient land for his occupation and support. In the cases where the whole of the land of any Native is unsuitable for his support, he may either exchange same or sell, and purchase suitable land, through the Council or Board. Council forthwith to proceed to allocate land for occupation and support of each Native and his family and issue papakainga certificates. Balance of land of every such Natives to be alienable as follows: — (a.) Land when owned in fee-simple by not more than twenty owners to be alienable by lease by such owners subject to confirmation by Council, or by mortgage or sale subject to consent of Council.