Big Maori Hui Being Held at Waiomatatini

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7169, 17 March 1930, Page 10

Big Maori Hui Being Held at Waiomatatini

FARMING HELP FOR NATIVES. GISBORNE, March 9. Visitors are still arriving for the Waionm tart ini hui, which has become the largest assembly of educated young Maoris yet held. The Hon. G. W. Forbes is journeying there to-day. Sir Aprrana Ngata addressed the assemblage, reviewing the operations of his department under the Native Land Adjustment Act. Last year, under the Act, he was empowered to spend £2500 to develop idle native lands. The Act overrode the hitherto slow and tedious formalities of the Native Land Court and empowered the Minister to deal direct with the owners and place natives on the land, paying wages, supplying hats and implements. The Minister expressed the opinion that the day would come when the Maori workers would excel the pakehas, for the reason that their life was more simple and the Maoris loved the country life, whilst the pakehas tended to drift to the cities. He urged that the Maoris must show industry before expecting help. He referred to the Waikato tribe, which was now working a 16,000 acre block.