WELFARE OF MAORIS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12825, 21 August 1939, Page 7

WELFARE OF MAORIS

INCREASE IN NUMBERS A» further substantial increase in the Maori population of New Zealand during the past year is recorded in the annual report of the Native Department, tabled in the House of Representatives last week. At the end of March, 1938, the Maori population was 86,767, and- the figure increased in the next year to 88,450. v The report states that there was a material improvement in the economic and living conditions of the Maori people through the operation of native land development and housing schemes. The Government’s policy of developing unproductive native, lands was being vigorously pursued, and a section of the Maori people was thus being given the opportunity of living ’ under conditions most suited to the race, and at the same time being enabled to become self-reliant members of the community. Throughout the year, efforts were continued to provide work of a productive nature for natives in need of assistance, and, with the funds available from State sources, the department was able to promote useful employment for a large number of the people. Wages paid by the department to some 5000 Maori workers amounted to £ 507,250, - toward which a grant of £ 415,000 was made from the employment promotion, fund. Land development work, which was ' subsidised from 50 to 100 per cent., accounted for £ 457,250, and labour costs of the erection of houses financed from the special native housing fund took £ 50,000. With few exceptions, the work was carried out on a contract basis, enabling reasonably efficient workmen to earn 16s a day.