Maori projects unaffected by the loans affair

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 2

Maori projects unaffected by the loans affair

PA Wellington No projects requiring funds will suffer as a result of the Maori loans affair, the Maori Affairs deputy secretary, and the Maori Trustee, Mr Bruce Robinson, said. “That so-called loan was nothing more than an inquiry. There were no projects ready and waiting for which any approvals were held, that the money would be applied to,” he said. “There’s nothing waiting in the wings that’s now stalled.”

Projects requiring loans or grants from Maori Affairs could apply in the normal way and would be judged on their merit by the usual criteria of viability of the project, security offered, and ability to repay the loan.

Mr Robinson said he did not have the exact in front of him,

but believed Maori Affairs had a total vote this year of about $l3O million available for loans. About a further $24 million had been provided by the Labour Department for use in job training and job creation schemes.

A limited amount of money was available for grants to marae-based groups and non-commer-cial activities.

These sources of money were in no way affected by the Maori loans affair, Mr Robinson said. The total vote was an increase on past years. The biggest change this year had been the addition of the Labour Department vote.

“I think the good projects that are capable of showing a good return are being funded in most cases. There will be some that will always miss .out,” Mr Robinson said.