MAORIS’ PROGRESS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11826, 6 January 1933, Page 4

MAORIS’ PROGRESS

LAND DEVELOPMENT VALDES. MONEY WELL STENT. BISHOP BENNETT’S VIEWS. (Pros;? Association.; BOTORUA, -Tan. A. ; Tlie opinion that valuable work in developing the Maori race is being done through the Maori land development schemoß was expressed in an interview here to-day by the Bishop of Aotcaroa, the Rt. Rev. P. A. Benn*. ett, who has just' returned from a n episcopal visitation ' of'the Bay of Plenty area. His Lordship said remarkable work was being done on the Arawa farm at Maketu. where modern methods were serving as an example to other Maori farmers in the vicinity, and the farm, which was giving employment to' a number of Maori farmers, undoubt-" edly would be a valuable productive asset to the district. ' Bishop Bennett also went over the Horohoro scheme. He said that ho re again excellent work had been done, " and wlrat previously was a wilderness of bracken and pumic-e had now* become a productive area, giving subsistence to many native?. . , ■‘l have been in touch with these development schemes for years an'i know that a great deal of criticism has been levelled at the Native Minister for the amount of money the country has spent in the development of these native lands.'" added His Lordship. “I am fully convinced that the results so far obtained will prove that the money has been well and wisely spent. Not only ha? it developed the land. but. more important still, it has created enthusiasm in the minds of the Maori people for higher material development and the creation of a wonderful association to the nation.' If one thing more than another lias been responsible for the reservation, and physical welfare of the Maori race it is the Maori hind development schemes. They served a noble purpose in putting new heart, new hope, am.t higher ideals in The Maori people as a whole/’