MAORIS’ WAR EFFORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 212, 6 August 1940, Page 8

MAORIS’ WAR EFFORT

INCREASED PRODUCTION. PROGRESS IN NORTH. Per Press Association. . ROTORUA, Aug. 5. With committees working in 33 different Maori settlements in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty districts, a movement has been initiated among tho Maoris of these districts to combine to provide a valuable contribution toward the extra primary production. required as part of New Zealand’s war effort. Arising from the spontaneous desire of the Maoris to assist within the framework of their own tribal organisations, tho movement aims at bringing a substantial additional area under cultivation for the purposes of producing maize and barley, and possibly other necessary footstuffs 6uch as potatoes and onions and, in addition, to induce the natives to provide a large number of pigs for bacon curing. At present many of the pigs owned by the Maoris are slaughtered before they arrive at bacon weights. The natives have entered into the appeal so wholeheartedly that in many eases they, have agreed not to kill further pigs "for the purposes of their own tribal gatherings. ADDITIONAL ACREAGE. A central committee has been set up in Rotorua and, under its direction, a survey is already in progress with tl.e object of ascertaining what additic nal areas can be brought under cultivation and what extra quantity of bacon can be provided. Already it has been ascertained that 2250 additional acres are available for planting maize, together with a further 1000 acres already under development, and 120 acres suitable for planting barley. Replies have not yet been received from a number of the district subcommittees, but it is estimated that when these are to hand the area available will be very large, representing a valuable potential addition to the Dominion’s primary production. It is at present impossible to estimate the extra quantity of bacon likely to be produced, but it also is likely to be substantial.

It will be possible for the natives to receive a small measure of assistance where it is necessary through the Native Land Board. The movement is purely spontaneous and springs from the desire of the Maoris to be of practical assistance in the war effort.