HOUSES FOR MAORIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 7

HOUSES FOR MAORIS.

CABINET'S READY GRANT. ALLOCATION OF £50,000. (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") NGARUAWAHIA, this day. Since the sum of £50,000 set apart last year to provide houses for indigent Maori people has been spent, Cabinet has granted a further £50,000 on the request of the acting-Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. F. Langstone. This was announced at Ngaruawahia yesterday by the Minister on the occasion of the opening of King Koroki's house. He said that given proper cooperation by the Maori people—and he was sure that it would be forthcoming— with the Board of Native Affairs and thQ Native Department, the future of the race was a bright one. Those natives who had developed their own lands and were farming them successfully deserved the warmest commendation, and the process should be carried on with all the expedition possible.

The Government, said the Minister, had helped the natives in three ways — (1) in the development of their lands and the erection of farm cottages; (2) in assisting Maoris with adequate incomes through the Native Housing Act to provide themselves with modern homes, and (3) in erecting houses for indigent Maoris.

"Very good effects have been obtained in the past year," Mr. Langstone continued, "and I hope that within a few years the health and housing of the Maoris will be first class. Last year £50,000 was voted for houses for indigent natives.. When I went to the Cabinet a few days ago and explained the progress that had been made, asking for further money, another £50,000 ° was instantly forthcoming." In the course of his speech before opening the house, the GovernorGeneral, Lord Galway, said good houses were essential to good health, and it was pleasing to note that the Board of Native Affairs was pushing on as fast as possible with the provision of dwelling f or the Maori people. It was to be hoped that the Maoris would avail themselves of the opportunity of obtaining advances under the existing legislation, and thus eliminate conditions which hitherto l ad militated against their health and wellbeing.