NATIONAL WORK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 35, 21 November 1934, Page 3

NATIONAL WORK

DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES. MAORIS' ECONOMIC FUTURE. (Per Press HASTINGS, November 20. "I have been much impressed by the results achieved in farm development ■schemes for Maoris," said Dr J. B. Condliffe, of the economic staff of the League of Nations, in the course of an interview in Hastings. Dr Condliffe said that he had had an opportunity of seeing the results of this work in the course of his holiday tour through the North Island. Valuable national work, he said, was being done in winning good farm land from Waste areas. This should mean a permanent economic asset to the Dormnion. , In a period of low prices and cco-j nomic depression, a great deal nad been achieved in keeping large numbers of Maoris from being a. charge on the unemployment relief, said Dr. Condliffe. It was also necessary to recognise the responsibility that made it imperative to keep up the hope of the Maoris. They must be encouraged to take their part in the progress ol the Dominion. "I was particularly impressed by tne brave way the Maoris in the Waikatu were tackling their difficulties under the leadership of Princess Tc Puea, continued Dr Condlifle. ''Here is a woman of remarkable ability who Lad distinct administrative ability who has inspired her people to forget past grievances and to work hand upon the hinds of which they had been dispossessed, but which are now being bought back from the pakeha. I also noted the excellent results being obtained on the Hora Hera settlement near llotorua." ' In, reply to a question concerning the financial aspects of the developmental schemes Dr Condliffe said that he had not yet seen the report of the Native Affairs Commission. He felt, however, that whatever criticism had been levelled against the administration, it remained very important, not only for the future of the Maoris but also for the economic gain of the whole Dominion, that this work should continue.

"It is of incalculable value," Dr. Condliffe said. "The future of their races lies in the possibility of the Maoris developing their remaining ancestral lands."