Te Toa Takitini 28
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Te Toa Takitini
Registered at the GPO as a News paper.
(Maori Version at PapersPast.)
Number 28, Hastings. November 1, 1923.
THE NGAI TAHU CLAIM.
In the ‘Washing-up Bill’ passed by this Parliament the first steps were taken in settling the Ngai Tahu Claim which was explained in a previous edition [Number 26] of Te Toa Takitini. The Member for Te Waipounamu has a clear grasp of the situation and is supported by the Aotearoa Maori Members. They laid down a proposal which was confirmed by the Minister of Maori Affairs, that during this year it should be determined who the people are who should benefit from the Ngai Tahu Claim. Therefore a legal clause was drawn up like the clause drawn up in the previous year concerning Patutahi and Aorangi. The power to investigate was given to the Maori Land Court, and they are to say who the people are who are to receive benefits under this claim, to determine their shares, and pass on their order to the Government. This is a major investigation and we think it will take a long time. Ngai Tahu are a great tribe and have been experiencing much anguish over this matter. There have been many efforts and many collections of money, and many of them have been dispersed over the face of the earth and to the two islands, and many are close to disappearing amongst the Pakeha.
