EFFORTS TO HELP MAORIS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 May 1934, Page 7

EFFORTS TO HELP MAORIS

LAND DEVELOPMENT .SCHEME EVIDENCE- BEFORE COMMISSION (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WHANG ARE I, May 4. The Native Affairs Commission 'com--menced its sitting at Whangarei' this morning. 'Dr. 'Cook, Medical Officer of Health, said the health of the natives was considerably below the European standard. Poverty -was one of the main causes. The majority were 'living in impoverished, struggling circumstances. The only remedy was to get them back on the land. The development 'scheme would improve the Maoris’ health and conditions. During .the past two years there had been a slight improvement. Matthew Finlay, farm director of the Native Department stationed at Whangarei, detailed preliminary steps of the development scheme, saying the Native Minister took no part in meetings held bv the various officers. Consolidation had to be neglected when the development work commenced. The areas were not definitely defined and trouble occurred through some people considering themselves- entitled to land occupied by others. There had been no lavish expenditure and the majority of the Maoris were most careful with their expenditure. The success of the scheme depended on personal supervision and the number of supervisors was inadequate.