NORTHERN MAORIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 124, 29 May 1933, Page 5

NORTHERN MAORIS.

PROGRESS ON LAND.

SETTLEMENT AT LOW COST.

MINISTER IMPRESSED

The extent to which costs are being kept down by the native farmers who, in the North Auckland districts, are hard at work under the now wellestablished Maori land settlement schemes, greatly impressed the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, during his recent official inspection of the units at Kaipara, Hokianga, Ahipara, Whangaroa and Bay of Islands.

"Our northern people have taken up the schemes with intense enthusiasm," said the Minister in a short interview in Auckland this morning. "True, many of them been urged on by necessity, but they are very keen, and they are doing <*ood work.' Moreover, costs are being kept down. Most of them are working on a level of bare subsistence. The Ratana people, who used _ to be against the movement, particularly around Kaikohe, have changed their attitude, and are now favourable to it." As illustrating the extent of development in the North Auckland districts, the Minister stated tnat Maori farmers were r.ow supposing 14 different dairy factories in the province, and according to the reports tht> cream-grading returns were well up to the standard set bv flier European nei.>h*>ours. Although the Unemployment Board's subsidy made the schemes easier.to finance than those originally undertaken on the East Coast, it could not provide sueh necessities as -rrass seed and fencing materials. Those were being supplied out of 'the special fund. Stock was not a probleo,, for it could be obtained cheaply, and the older settlers, who were now in their fourth season had young animals of their own

coming on.. Sir Apirana stated that about t-'O per cent of the relief workers in the Kaikohe district were natives. If a settlement scheme could be properly established there, the number of men on relief oould be- »d«ced ?ear]gr- -two^bkds.