THE MAORI’S NEW INTERESTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 220, 13 June 1933, Page 8

THE MAORI’S NEW INTERESTS

In the course of an interesting review, published yesterday, the Minister of Native Affairs referred to two significant features in the present development of the Maori. The first is the practical interest now being taken by the Maori in modern farming methods. The second is his efforts to revive and foster his tribal arts and poetry, and preserve and strengthen his racial traditions.

In recent years there has been a forward movement in Native farming. This has been stimulated by exchanges of visits, resulting in a spirit of healthy rivalry among the tribes. The Maori has shown himself capable of applying to his own problems the doctrine. of selfhelp. It may be said that he has also received and is receiving considerable assistance from the State. So also is 'the European. It should not be forgotten that the assistance given to the Maori is no more than his due, having regard to what has happened in the past. What we have to consider is whether he is making good use of it. On this point we have the Minister’s assurance that in many cases, if not even in most cases, he is. The Maori is,showing, in some cases at least, that he is shrewd enough to see that if he is to make farming pay, costs must be kept down. That was emphasised /by Sir Apirana Ngata in the House in October, last. ’/ . The Ngapuhis in the north, he pointed out, felled their forest lands in order to bring them into cultivation, at a cost of from 8/to 10/- an acre. Here a Labour member interjected that they ought to be ashamed of themselves, to which the Minister retorted: “There are two ways of solving this probleffi of depression, and the Maori ' people are trying to do it in their own humble way. If it suits them - to clear their forest lands at such low cost what has the honourable member to quarrel about?” It was a pointed retort. The Minister then gave two illustrations of the efficacy of Maori economy in farming. In one case the value of prpduction represented a return of 12| per cent, on the capital outlay. “How many concerns are paying that to-day?” he asked.. ' ' '

That, of course, is the bright side of the picture. On the administrative side there is room for reforms and economies, and these should be proceeded with on the lines recommended by the National Expenditure Commission, which dealt at considerable length, and very critically, with., the organisation and the cost of the Native Affairs Department. There is a tendency to regard this department with a certain sentimental indulgence which cannot in the end be for the benefit of the Native race.