THE MAORI AS A FARMER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 70, 7 May 1943, Page 4

THE MAORI AS A FARMER

PROGRESS with the Maori settlement schemes,.reported frcton, the Bay, will be gratifying to those who realise that the future of the race depends upon its return to the. land. In this part of the Dominion operations are restricted because of the scarcity of land suitable for sub-division, but there are areas along the coast that could be brought in and worked economically. The settlements started when Sir Apirana Ngata was in office have shown improvement, though some have been hampered by uncertainty regarding tenure. What is urgently needed is the sub-division of land within reasonable distance of the centres where additional labour is available, farms that would be. aids to the upkeep of such places as the centre established by Princess Te Puea Herangi near Ngaruawahia. On the initiative of that capable leader, and with the help of one or two Europeans, a farm has been acquired and developed, providing employment for fairly large numbers and ensuring food supplies for those at the settlement. But the schemes put in hand of recent years, although more evtensive than anything attempted formerly, should be carefully reviewed. There are settlements in the Rangitaiki district, where dairy ing is conducted with success, but it has been stated that not one Maori who has acquired a holding has the freedom to use his individual judgment in matters of development and stock. Many senior Maoris feel that while much ha# been done to develop the land, not sufficient attention has been paid to the development of the Maoris working it, Vi course which would necessitate greater responsibilities, making for increased self-reliance.