31

G.-1.

selves the right to say what shall be done with their own lands. Then, the land shall be disposed of in accordance with the land laws of the colony. For instance, land will not be allowed to be sold in large blocks if it, is agricultural land. There will be a limit placed on the size of the blocks, in order that there may be a large population placed on the land. The Government think that they have a right, for the good of both races, to prevent what is called " land monopoly for the few ;" and therefore the land shall be cut up into the smallest areas suitable for settlement. That is the limitation which the Government put upon the powers of the Committees and of the people

Hoani Nahe (Chairman of the Committee) : said that he was pleased and satisfied with what the Native Minister had said. He said that the Committee wished that, before the Bill referred to by Mr. Ballance was brought in, it should be circulated amongst the Natives. They were very

pleased to hear that they were to be allowed to manage their lands themselves. It was his opinion that, if the preliminary investigation of land were gone into by the Native Committee, it would be much easier for the Native Land Court, and thereby the Maoris would be relieved of the expenses they were now put to in attending Court and paying Court fees, &c. The Committee had great Objection to the action of the Native Land Court in charging fees. They had heard that the Natives of the Arawa had got licenses to purchase guns and ammunition, and they had heard that the reason the Arawas were so anxious to get guns was to avenge the murder of Kereopa, who was murdered by Natives some time ago. That was why they sent a notice concerning this matter to the

.wspaper, and also one to Mr. Wilkinson. They suggest that applications from the Arawas to purchase guns should be referred to the Native Committee. He asked whether it would be advisable for the Hauraki Committee to deal with matters in the Waikato and vice versa. Hoani Nahe then read some of the minutes at the last meeting of the Committee, one of which was where they wished to get some revenue to carry on their work and pay for stationery, and also with reference to the

yment of the clerk and Chairman of the Committee. It was proposed that the Chairman should

allowed to frank letters on public service, also that the Committee should have power to

issue summonses to bring anybody before it. If an amending Act to the Native Committees Act

were passed there ought to be a clause inserted so that, whenever a person falls out of the Committee,

there should be the power to elect another in his place.

Tamati Paipa spoke with reference to a dispute that existed between himself and Mr. Alley out the boundary-line of Hikutaia No. 1. He stated that Sir F. Whitaker promised to settle the lute. Several surveyers had been to survey the line.

Mr. Ballance said it was understood in the Native Department that Sir F. Whitaker had settled the whole dispute.

Tamati Paipa said that the boundary-line of Hikutaia No. 1 had not been settled. Hikutaia : No. 1 was surveyed and went through the' Court, and was subdivided, some years ago, some of land going to the Government, and some being left as Native Reserves.

Mr. Ballance : I am very much pleased at the business-like way in which the Chairman, Nahe, has brought before me the several matters relating to the Committee. It shows that Mr have given a considerable amount of attention to the duties pertaining to the office, and it has confirmed me in the opinion that the Committees are calculated to materially assist in the administration of the law in matters relating to their own people. I will now deal with the various estions that have been brought forward, one by one. It is quite right that copies of Bills

relating to the Native race should be extensively circulated amongst them before being introduced

to the Legislature, and I purpose sending to the Chairmen of the different Native Committees copies of the Bills which we intend to introduce into the House next session—that is to say, copies of the ore important measures, for sometimes there are Bills brought in with very short notice, and

we might not have time to circulate those Bills amongst the people. Those are Bills, generally, of small importance, and all the principal Bills I shall have circulated amongst them. I agree that Committees may materially assist the Land Court in inquiring into cases and making the

prelimenary investigation required of them by the present Act. The Government have long been of

opinion that the expenses of the Native Land Court are too great, and various measures have been

taken for the purpose of reducing them. I think the action of the Committees themselves may

to the reduction of those expenses. I feel myself shocked and disgusted at the enormou

attending the passing of some blocks through the Native Land Court, for it is a notorious t that some of the blocks have been entirely eaten up by the expenses of lawyers and agents, d in various other ways, the Natives deriving no benefit whatever from the sale of their lands, hile their lands have gone from them for ever. The object of the Government is to remedy these . I heard what Hoani Nahe said about the Arawas trying to obtain licenses for guns d ammunition for the purpose of making war upon some neighbouring tribe. I confess that was very much surprised at that statement, for I was under the impression that the Arawas themselves exceedingly loyal people, and I cannot now suppose that that feeling of revenge or is general amongst them, or that there is any general desire to shed blood. Perhaps hat Hoani Nahe refers to is the desire of a few men, but very few. The Arawas know that ereopa was justly punished according to law for the great crime he had committed, taking the life the Rev. Mr. Volckner ; and I believe that the Arawas themselves as a body are perfectly tisfied with the course that the law took in that case ; but I am very much obliged to Hoani

for mentioning the matter, and I am quite sure that Mr. Kenrick will be cautious in issuing making due inquiry into the character of the people who apply for them. I also

with the suggestion made by Hoani Nahe that Mr. Kenrick, when there is any doubt in

mind, should take the advice of the Native Committee. Reference has been made to a .delicate matter, viz., the Committee of one district interfering in another district. You see yourselves that, if the Committee of one district interferes in another district, it would lead great deal of jealousy, and might lead to trouble ; but it might be desirable in some cases,

matters affected both districts, or where the people of one district were affected by