SETTLING THE MAORI

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 24, 6 November 1930, Page 12

SETTLING THE MAORI

NEW SYSTEM EXPLAINED

USING OLD TRIBAL "BEES"

SELECTED LEADERS OF TEAMS

Experiments being made in the settlement of groups of Maoris on undeveloped land were described by Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs in an address to the Wellington Group of the Institute of Pacific Relations recently. Schemes for dealing with native lands had often, foundered, he said, through the difficulties .connected T?ith the communal title and the attempts at subdivi* sion or partition. He mentioned four schemes which had been of great value during the last 25 years. These wore, firstly, incorporation under a eomm'.V tee of management, which had brought I a *arge ar-."i ilito cultivation from Gis' borne to Hick's Bay; secondly consolidation of interests of individuals or ; families which had enabled holdings to conform to modem conditions improved boundaries enabled a complete stock taking of native interests and made the land available for any purpose desired by the natives; thirdly hypothecation or charging event of an inchoate title enabling the Maori Land Board to lend money on land although the title had not been completed; and fourthly, native land development, bringing into cultivation by the Maoris themselves Maori land that had .been lying idle or. was in-. sufficiently developed. The Native Minister was authorised to deal ♦ with the land in such a way as to overcome the difficulties of title and to use funds provided by the Treasury for the purpose. EXPERIENCED MEN CHOSEN Under the presentexperiments in the case of each settlement a team of young Maoris with experience not only of agricultural work but also of those pioneerTag efforts, such-as'roadTinaking, bridge building carpentery, drainage, as would xbe demanded, froriv body of settlers left largely to their own devices was selected. To entire team work it was essential that a leader should be selected who if possible, was one of the recognised leaders by pedigree and also knew how to handle: men. In one case mentioned' the selector was fortunate enough to find

not only a leader of proper rank but one who had been an officer of the Maori Pioneer Battalion . The system outlined was the application to modern conditions of the old ohu, or working bee. said Sir Apirana, Pakeha" co-operation came in the appointment of Supervisors men of sound practical, agricultural and business experience who were recommended to the Minister by members for the districts concerned, helped in the purchase of stock, manures seeds, farming implements,, fencing and other material, which by purchasing for all schemes in large quantities the Native Department was enabled to obtain of the best quality at low rates. /* In this way the Maori tribal organisation and traditions are being utilised to inspire the different, tribes to adapt themselves to modern conditions in a spirit of healthy rivalry." IMPORTANCE OF "OHU." " Maori history.' always centres round some leader, the title, being generally hereditary. The 'Ohu' or *apu' the working bee which played so prominent a part in Maori community life, was practricable only by team work under a capable leader. Contact with the white disintegrated the focus of the system. The missionaries began it. (Then the sovereignity of the pakeha monarch reduced the, status of every chief and unnerved the; tribal organisation at the core of chieftainship. The democratic idea of equality helped to undermine the chief'B 'mana.' So did the educational system for after th- wars many of the Maori leaders retired in sullen resentment to remote regions where they were outside educa-tional influences, while those of inferior birth took the opportunity of education.; Thus an, aristo- i cracy of knowledge arose. There was also*, the effect of infusion of white blood half-castes, often with fine physical characteristics and mental qualities, asserted their claim to a share in the leadership of the tribes. SPIRIT STIL.J, PERSISTS "The tribal organisation and esprit, de corps still persits as elements o~ *!»?• ancient regime. The main geographical 'distribution of the tribes remains much the same as when the white mra arrived. Legislation, during the last tlures decodes has been based largely on th? tribal or- ; ganisations and tribal riva ry nowadays has been transformed from hosi-aty into a competitive emulation of theachi3vem^nts of former adversaries. "In dealing with the Maori, we mast proceed trJbally," said Sir Apinoia He thought that the Maori's disinclination to sustained effort and imoa "erice «>f discipline wer> possibly due tc the removal of the.primitive ob-joafi"? of the tribes, whose ancestors had shown - \ the past, close communal spirit."