New bank mooted

Press, 31 October 1984, Page 2

New bank mooted

By MICHAEL HANNAH A Maori Development Bank to encourage the development of Maori enterprises was proposed at the Maori economic development summit conference yesterday. The bank was first suggested by Ms Denese Henare, of Auckland, a member of the steering committee for the conference. It was taken up later by Professor Whata Winiata, of Victoria University. Ms Henare criticised the structure of the Maori Affairs Department, saying that it had a “1930 s mentality,” though she said that she was not criticising the people who worked with the department. A Maori Development Bank was needed, she argued, because social problems meant that the Maori Affairs Department spent more of its time on a social role than on housing and development.- a : Poor land use, inactive trusts, and underfunded development schemes had. arisen from a lack of understanding of lending and development policies, Ms Henare said. The bank would establish a wide range of management and advisory services on lending and backing,, accounts, management, and professional concerns., It would also provide regional offices to liaise with and to find out the needs of areas. Ms' Henare said this would then free the Maori Affairs Department to fulfil social, educational, housing, and community education roles. Professor Winiata suggested the bank he funded with $7 million from trustees, and $2O million from the Government, this to include an estimated $16.5 million underspent in the Maori Affairs vote. Professor Winiata also proposed that trade commission and diplomatic post appointments take into account the contribution Maoris could make. The Ministers of Finance, Labour, Trade and Industry, and Justice should also design and implement a worker-management system which would encourage profit-sharing and increase productivity in the next two years. A fiat tax rate of 15 per cent on production increases was also proposed by Professor Winiata to encourage a redistribution of resources.