ASSISTING THE NATIVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8973, 15 August 1905, Page 5

ASSISTING THE NATIVES.

INSTRUCTION REGARDING POTATO BLIGHT.

SUPPLYING DAIRY COWS.

}Ir Major, M.H.R., lias written to the Hon. J. Can-oil, Native Minister, as ioU lows : — •

"A constituent of mine has .written to ma upon" a subject of great importance to the native population in Taranaki, namely, in regard to potato blight. He states if. 1 something be not done the natives will become a charge upon the Ch&ritable Aicl Board. If, however, an instructor or two were appointed for a month or two in the spring, to explain to the natives' how to .spray and the advantages of spraying, verj^ great good would result. Another matter " which the Government might also help the natives in, and which might be done through the Public Trust Office, is- that of supplying the natives witn.cows for milk-> ing putposes. Few of the natives have any means to buy cows, and are at the mercy of money-lenders wild, in view of tho security not being real property, charge exorbitant rates of interest and exact-harsh terms. This- is a matter that I would like youjto give some consideration. I will be pleased to Sear your views upon these questions, in order that I may communicate with, my eorrespona«nt, a prominent settler at Merenieve."

To the above" letter the Bon Mr Car* roll replied to Mr Major as follows: —

"I have to thasnk both' yeuv correspondeat and yourself for drawing attention to' the matter, and' I will consult the Depairtment of Agriculture, and ascertain whether it would be* possible to' s'ead an instructor round the" district to givft the natives some explanation' as to the advantage of, spraying. I may add that I have already given instructions" to have tha leaflet, published by ttte? Department of Agriculture, translated into Maori, published in- the Kahiti, and circulated among the natives throughout the colony. The question of advancing money to natives for the purchase of dairy cows requires careful consideration, and' I should welcome any means whereby the- natives would be induced to . turn* their attention to dairying. I- will take- an- opportunity of consulting the Public Trustee- on the subject."