NATIVE LANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1718, 7 April 1906, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS.

PROPOSED ADVANCES FROM

STATE. fc-t— <*s9 MAORIS AS FARMERS.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night,

Interviewed by the Poet with reforrnoe to tho Government proposal to advance money for improvemrni of native lands, Mr Hone Heke, M.H.R., said : I am sure that everyone who ha 3 the int rests of the natives at heart will approve of the effort that is being made by Government to encourage natives to farm their land according to modern European method?. I pin my faith ou tbo improvement of native land on the judicious carrying out of this new principle. You will nrtice that the amount that may be advanced is not to exceed one-third of the unimproved value of land, but it is desirable tbat natives should go slowly and not encumber their land with too much loan money. The desire is simply tbat they should get a reasonable start with their farming operations. Asked if natives will avail themselves freely of the new provisions, 11 Yes,” said Mr Heko, 11 1 bave received large numbers of letters from natives in different parts of tbo colony, whtn they will bo able to avail themselves of the power grDnled by Parliament last year, and I have pressed the Premier and Na'ive Minister to get thoso rules issued as early as possible, so as to enable natives to fell their bush during the month of June. Hitherto the Government lending department has not advanced money for the purpose of enabling natives to improve their land. In order to show tbat the Maori is capable of bocoming a good farmer, I need only mention the case of farming operations of the Ngatiporou people on the East Coast, north of Gisborne. There is aa area of some 69,000 acres (in different blocks) beir g improvod and successfully farmed. The land iB carrying about 60,000 sheep, besides a large number of cattle. In some places, for instance at Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, the natives are going in for dairying with a considerable measure of suooess.” GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS.

(Fob Press Association.) Wellington, last night

In order to encourage Natives to improve and farm their lands Government ii taking, steps to advanoe moneys to Maori owners, Power was taken to do this by section 18 of the Maori Land Settlement Act of last year, and in order to give full effeot to the intention of that section an Order-in-Council has been issued, which provides that every application for a loan shall be forwarded to the Commissioner of Crown Lands of the district for report thereon. On consideration of such report the Minister may advonoe any sum not exceeding one-third of the unimproved value of the land, The amount advanced shall be expended solely in stocking, improving, or farming the land. An a ivance may be either for a fixed tetmj or repayable by instalments extending over such period not exceeding ten years. Five per oeDt. interest is charged for the advance.