MAORI LANDS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4402, 8 June 1933, Page 5

MAORI LANDS

THE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.

INTERESTING ADDRESS.

At the conclusion of the general business of the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening, Mr. C. M. Wright delivered an interesting address on the native land development schemes. Mr. Wright said that the first necessity for the beginning of the work was a block of suitable country, handy to roads and railways. The native owners were approached and their consent obtained to the work. After the matter was thoroughly thrashed out, the land was then proclaimed in the Gazette—and all rights of ownership then ceased. The Consolidation Officer made the necessary arrangements to suit the particular case. Practically all the work was done by the natives themselves, working under contract, and the % smaller the contract price the better it would be for them in their future obligations to the Crown, for the money expended.

Arrangements were made for the purchases of all necessary plant and materials. By means of charging orders, the Crown’s money spent in the development was safeguarded. The Native Minister had power to take the land for development.

The speaker instanced the Waimiha and Mahoenui schemes to show the progress being made. In the former some 230 heifers had been milked this season, and at Waimiha certain units had been definitely placed on sections. • ,

The Horo Horo and Rotorua schemes were started about three years ago, and very shortly afterwards some 180 acres had been cleared and grassed.

Horo Horo, Mahoenui and Waimiha schemes were financed from the Native Land Settlement Fund, but the one just completed by Princess Te Puea at Waiuku was financed from the funds of the WaikatoManiapoto Land Board. A great deal of work had been done here at a very low price, this being due to the interest and determination of Te Puea. The schemes were encouraging the natives to regain their independence, and encouraging them to work and retain their own lands. They enabled a better standard of living for the natives, better control for medical and educational purposes, and they were making the lands reproductive and self-supporting. The whole of the legislation and arrangements for these schemes had been conceived by the Native Minister, Sir Apirana Ngat|, to whom the Maori race owed a great debt of gratitude. As far as he knew, the Ratana schemes in Taranaki were financed by the Ratana people. A hearty vote 'of thanks was•' accorded the speaker at the close of his address.