NATIVE LAND SCHEMES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21386, 31 January 1935, Page 12

NATIVE LAND SCHEMES

MR FORBES CONCLUDES HIS TOUR IMPRESSED WITH WORK OF MAORIS (FRISS ASSOCIATION TEL*G»AM.) ROTORUA, January 30. The Minister for Native Affairs (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) to-day comj pleted his six days' tour of the native land development schemes in the laupo Rotorua, and Bay of Plentv Qistricts. With Sir Apirana Ngata f)nnt v ( red D from - Tekaha through Opotiki to Ruatoki, where the Ureengaged on on * of tfio iaigest .schemes m the whole set JoSo u s; lc ai kln i,''' - Lom c the village, Mr Forbes was presented with a kiwi fcalber 'rl r el ' cd Wl,h g'"cen and white feathers of other native birds, together with a finely-woven flax sleeping mat, in recognition of the fact that he was the first Prime Minister to visit the district. Mr Forbes suitably acknowledged the gift. In the afternoon the ministerial party was ferried across Whakatane river and shown a large part of the scheme, including reconditioned pasture and fern land being brought in for dairying. The scheme has 4000 acres under grass and is farmed by 135 families, who milk 2000 cows, and. supply both a butter and cheese factory. Satisfaction Expressed Before leaving for Rotorua and Wellington Mr Forbes said he was very satisfied with what he had seen. He was sure that if anyone who had any doubts of the wisdom of the native settlement policy had done likewise, he would say the policy was a wise one. It put new heart into the Maoris, who formerly were faced with unemployment, and offered them greater opportunities for themselves and their children. The way they were responding was a very hopeful sign, showing that they realised that farming offered a home and future. No complaints had been made that the supervisors required too much hard work. The only complaints, in fact, were that more lands and people could not be brought into the schemes at thp present time. The Maoris had given him very warm welcomes, and showed that they were most willing to work under the supervisors' directions and accept advice and assistance. He was more than satisfied with the results to date, which showed that a so-called doubtful experiment was turning out well.

The scarcity of land for Maoris in the eastern Bay of Plenty, between Opolißi and Cape Runaway, was emphasised by Sir Apirana Ngata. Speaking at Omarumutu village. Sir Apiratu said the coastal people, though rich on paper. had only enough usable land for the present population without providing for a natural increase, which was considerable. They were imprisoned between the sea and the barren mountains. and could not be squeezed out at either end, because the Urewera Uast Coast tribes would not have them. The only way of providing for the surplus was to place them on the pumice lands of the Arawa tribe. Mr Forbes, in addressing the people, said if the area was limited it should be possible to develop it all under the present schemes. What provision the Government made for the surplus population would depend upon the efforts of the people themselves.