MANY MISSIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 16 December 1947, Page 6

MANY MISSIONS

REVIEW COAST PRODUCTION MATERIAL AID NEEDED Although he has done much already to guide Maori effort on the East Coast into the more highly productive channels, Sir Apirana Ngata, Ruatoria, has been a little discouraged of recent months. Material assistance is required by the Maori to give him the power to produce effectively. “If successive visits by emissaries of the aid-to-Britain campaign organisation to centres on the East Coast, north of Gisborne, are an indication of the concern felt at the headquarters of the movement, they also reveal a lack of co-ordination and of that careful preparation and thought, which would-be producers expect.” Sir Apirana Ngata said, in an interview. “The Native Department has sent three missions, one in the middle of September, the second a month later and the third two weeks ago. These, of course, were addressed to the Maori farmers of the district,” Sir Apirana said. “The result has been an increase in the area put under cultivation for maize- There were difficulties, such as lack of implements, shortage of seed and an absolute shortage of fencing

wire. Moreover, the campaign was laflnched too late, as if the dire need of Britain and New Zealand’s responsibility was not realised sooner. Prospects Discussed “Then there came, from the ‘horse’s mouth,’ Mr. Blyde from headquarters in Wellington, who talked maize and other primary production. This was in October. Implements, tractors, seed maize and materials for cribs were discussed. The Wellington emissary could only undertake to do what he could. “In the two latter visits of officers of the Native Department, the prospects for the 1948 production season were discussed with leading Maori farmers. The result can be stated briefly,” continued Sir Apirana. “The arable flats of the Waiapu Valley cannot provide for more* than 200 acres additional area for maize next season. On the other hand, much of the land sokn in maize will, after a crop of peas, go back to pasture. The dairying industry and sheepfarming will benefit. Hill Country v “To further increase production in the next and following years attention will have to be directed to the hill country. The officers of the Native Department were told that the outlay would be £25 per acre for breaking up fenced areas with giant discs, manuring and liming, sowing with good grass and turnips and stocking adequately, if the take proved good. Looking after the stock until the returns from fat sheep and lambs and wool and increase reached the producer’s bank account would also hsive to be provided for. “Would the department find the money meantime?” Sir Apirana asked the departmental representatives. “No,” they replied. Sir Apirana: Would the department consider subsidising, at least, labour costs? Departmental men: That must be referred to Wellington. Sir Apirana: Will the department provide its local organisation with the necessary implements? They could be ordered. Outlay Too Great “The decision of the Maori farmers was that the outlay was too great,” continued Sir Apirana. “In the total absence of fencing wire for the suddivision of existing fenced hill areas for wintering hoggets, a station must either work with the large areas already enclosed or do nothing. The latter alternative has been adopted. “It is not that the Maori farmers of the East Coast, in common with European farmers, are not patriotic or do not feel their responsibility to aid Britain. Their record in two world wars was all the other way. They have learned of the difficulty of making bricks without straw, and more bricks are required. “It would be well for emissaries of the aid-to-Britain campaign whether they come from headquarters in Wellington or from a nearer point, such as Gisborne, and whether they be representatives of State departments or of farmers’ organisations, or chambers of commerce, or arrive in any other guise, to come with well conceived plans related to the conditions on this Coast backed with the resources, if available, of the Government.”