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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

Minute by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary

Minute by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Recommended that the Speaker be informed that the Government is most anxious to take advantage of any disposition on the part of the Natives in the Province of New Plymouth to part with lands; that, with this object, full instructions have been sent to Mr. Commissioner Parris, and money placed at his disposal; that if the land south of the Warea can be acquired by purchase it will afford the Government much satisfaction; but that the system of leasing lands would be attended with many disadvantages, even if done by the Government, prominent amongst which is the tendency which such a system would have to induce the Natives generally not to sell, but merely to lease lands for the future, which would naturally prevent their beneficial and peaceful occupation by Europeans, especially as to agricultural lands, and would render disputes from temporary and undetermined boundaries almost certain to occur. The memorialists are in error in supposing that the leases from the, Natives in Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay Districts have not impeded sales: they have to a very great extent prevented the purchase of these lands, have much enhanced the price paid for what has been acquired there, and have led to much of the most valuable parts of these districts being still unpurchased.

E. W. Stafford.

8th September, 1857. Approved.—T.G.B. 10th September, 1857.