SPIRIT OF WAITANGI

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 77, 1 April 1933, Page 12

SPIRIT OF WAITANGI

MAOEI DEVELOPMENT

SETTLEMENT ON THE LAND

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") . . KAWENE,' This Day. "My advice to you is to do your best to develop your own lands, for in that direction you will find a solution to most of your difficulties," said the Prime Minister when expressing to Pawarenga and Panguru Natives yesterday his gratification with the progress they are making under Sir Ap.irana ISgata's land development schemes in the district. "It is for the good of the Maori people that they should be got on to their own land," said the Prime Minister. "We don't want to have you as members of the unemployed; we want to see you as established settlers living healthy, happy lives, and obtaining all the food, clothing, and shelter you require. I have just come from the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. When that historic' pact was signed Maori and pakeha shook hands, and said, 'We will work together for the good of this country.' In this development work which is proceeding under the direction of Sir Apirana Ngata I feel we are carrying out the spirit of the Treaty of Waitangi._ The Government is short of finance* at present, so what funds are available for this work must be made to go as far as they can. We know that any money which is entrusted to the Nativi Minister'is spent to the best possible advantage, and that the Maori people are getting the full benefit out of it. In assisting the Maoris to settle on their lands we are enabling them to protect themselves against the future. I trust you will do y'ouv best, to re-establish yourselves, and if we can see prosperous Maori settlers we will know that the expenditure has been well repaid. I am sure you will do your best to make the land development scheme a success. If you do the Maori race has bright days in front'of it." In emphasising the value arid benefits of the scheme Mr. Forbes said the Government would do its best to assist the Natives to assist 'themselves. From what he had seen of the work ho suggested that under Sir Apirana Ngata's scheme the Maoris could provide model settlements for New Zealand. "Yes," added Mr. Forbes with emphasis, "you can do it. In a country like ours we do not need to fear, the-future. "We are facing difficulties now, but we are overcoming them, and in this the Maori people are showing the determination, initiative, and energy which have been characteristics of bcjth . Maori and pakeha in the past. : ' TWO CONSIDERATIONS. Sir Apirana Ngata explained to Mr. Forbes that two considerations entered into selections: One was the suitability of the land, and the other tho type of tho prospective settler. In developing their lands the Natives wero showing a spirit of great self-reliance. They were hard-working1, and wero prepared to go ahead under a tightened belt. It was only since unemployment had spread to both races that it had been possible to use part of the available funds to assist the Natives -in their re-establishment work, such as drainage and tho preparation of fencing, etc. "Olio'is greatly encouraged in the work of revivifying the best characteristics of the race by the response that has come from the Ngapuhis," said Sir Apirana. "In. short, the No. 5 scheme has not penetrated very fur in this district. ToKaikohe, perhaps, but not elsewhere. . •;■ •.. ■.'•■ i "The No. 5, scheme is a.device of the devil as far as the Maori race was concerned. Two days' work a week, with the) remainder available for attending meetings-and'touring round, and then another two days in the following week suits' the Native perfectly, but in this land development scheme of ours we hn,ve been able to keep tho bulk of the Ngapuhis. away ■from relief '• work so that, they can work every day of the week on. their own lands."