PROBLEM OF THE MAORIS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20790, 25 February 1933, Page 4

PROBLEM OF THE MAORIS.

DECISIVE ACTION HELD TO BE NECESSARY. HALF ADULT MALES DEPENDING ON RELIEF. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, February 24. Statutory exemption from payment of the general unemployment levy is granted to every native witliin the meaning of the Native Land Act, 1909; but any such native may, with the consent of the board, elect to become liable for the levy, states the annual report of the Unemployment Board. Maoris who elect to accept the liability thereupon become subject to the same obligations as any other person liable for the levy, and become entitled to apply for participation in the benefits of relief funds. At March 31, 1931, the number of Maoris admitted as contributors to the fund was 1827; at June 30, 3652; at September 30, 4973; and at December 31, 5768. By March 31, 1932, the number had reached 6607, and at the end of October, 1932, was 8000. The Maori population, including halfcastes, is 68,000, of which 65,000 are in the North Island. The number of males between 20 and 64 years of age is 15,000; and more than half of these are therefore looking to the Unemployment Fund for relief. In the opinion of the board, the situation calls for immediate attention. "The fact that more than half the adult male Maori population have become contributors to the Unemployment Fund points clearly to the means which the natives are adopting to meet their situation. The disquiet with which the older chiefs view the complacent acceptance of relief by the modern members of their tribes will be shared by all who appreciate the qualities of thfl Maori race," says the report. "The remedy is plain. Maori lands must be individualised as has been the Maori himself. The process must be expeditious, and it must, be accompanied by active steps to establish the Maori as A farmer side by side with the European settler. The board, actuated by grave concern at the rapid increase of Maori contributors to the fund, has considered their situation closely, and considers decisive action along the lines suggested to be imperative in the interests of the native race. "Were any other grounds for action, necessary they could be found in the facts that the £166,000 a year now being paid to Maoris on relief works would serve a more lasting and desirable purpose if directed towards settling them on their lands; that a severe handicap is imposed on many county councils through large areas of native lands being practically unrateable under joint ownership; and that in such counties -land in active cultivation, is consequently labouring under an unsupportable burden of taxation."

MENTION IN THE . HOUSE. irr.Ess ■ association 'ielsgrajjJ WELLINGTON, February 24. In the House of Representatives this afternoon Mr E. T. Tirikatene (Ind., Southern Maori) asked the Minister for Native Affairs if he was aware that a number of Maoris who had made application for registration under the Unemployment Act had not received any acknowledgment of the application; if he was aware that a number who had registered were not getting any employment, and were suffering acutely as a consequence; and whether he would make immediate enquiries with a view of placing Maoris on a more satisfactory basis. The Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata said applications by Maoris to become contributors to the unemployment levy were made to the Unemployment Board through the Native Department, which investigated the circumstances and qualifications of the applicants and made recommendations to the Unemployment Board. It was not usual to acknowledge applications. In regard to applicants who had qualified and were out of work, the Native Department could deal with a very limited number. A grant was made to it by the Unemployment Board for the employment of Maoris on development work. There was only one active development scheme in the South Island, at Colac Bajr. The general responsibility for all unemployed was upon the Unemployment Board. ' *

QUEST FOR GOLD. BOARD REPORTS FINDS BY UNEMPLOYED. [From Oct. Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, February 24. The report of the Unemployment Board deals with the board's schemes of enabling gold mining and prospecting to be carried out by the unemployed. "By fostering these schemes," says the report, "the board has attained a two-fold objective. In,, the first place, districts which are largely mineral-bear-ing are not suitable for extensive operation under the farming schemes. The gold mining scheme has enabled unemployed men hitherto engaged on unproductive work in those districts to be placed on useful and congenial work. Second by the transfer of men to gold mining' and prospecting, production of the only primary, product bearing an enhanced value has been increased to a considerable extent. This is borne out by recent increases in gold-export figures. "At the present time the most extensive activities are in Central Otago, where the board has arranged a special organisation for absorbing large numbers of the unemployed on gold mining, with the co-operation of executive committees formed from the Vincent, Lake, Tuapeka, and Maniototo County Councils. Practically every eligible unemployed man in these four counties has been placed under the special gold mining scheme, and numbers of men have also been transferred to those districts from other centres. "Evidence is already to hand that steady returns of gold are being made by unemploved prospectors in Otago, and in some instances the 'strikes' have been of a sensational nature. Expressions of. appreciation of the board's assistance, and of the advice and help given by supervisors and the mining engineer, "have been received. "Gold mining operations during the winter, particularly in Otago, -n;ere necessarily restricted by weather conditions, but during the present summer operations have been considerably extended. In September, 1932, there were more than 1400 subsidised men engaged on the goldfields. Since that date further expansion has taken place m the board's activities in this sphere.