Development of Maori Land

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 273, 21 November 1934, Page 7

Development of Maori Land

Noted Visitor Much Impressed by Results

IMPORTANT THAT WORK SHOULD CONTINUE

Per Press Association, HASTINGS, Last -Night,

“I have been much impressed by the results achieved in farm., development schemes for the Maoris,” said Dr. J. B. Condliffe, of the economic staff of the League of Nations, in the course of an interview in Hastings. He has had the opportunity of seeing the results of this work in the course of his holiday tour through the. North. .Island. Valuable national work, he said, was being done in winning good farm land from waste areas. This should., mean a permanent economic asset to the Dominion. In a period of low prices and economic depression a great deal had been achieved in keeping large numbers of Maoris from being a charge on the unemployment relief. It was also necessary to recognise the responsibility that made it imperative to keep up the hope of Maoris. They must be encouraged to take their part in the progress of the Dominion, "I was particularly impressed by the brave way the Maoris in the Waikato are tackling their difficulties under the leadership of Te Puea, ” continued Dr. Condtift’e'. “Here is a woman of remarkable personality and distinct administrative ability, who has inspired her people to forget the grievances of the past and to work hard upon tho lands of which they had been dispossessed, but ■ which are now being bought back from the pakehu. I also noted the excellent results being obtained on the Hora Hora settlement near Rotorua.”

In reply to a question concerning financial aspects of the developmental schemes, Dr. Condliffe said he had not yet seen the report of the Native Affairs Commission. Ho felt, however, whatever criticism had been levelled against the administration, it remained very important, not only for the future of the Maoris, but also for the economic gain of the whole of the Dominion, that this work should continue.

"It is of incalculable value,” lie said. “The future of their race lies in the possibility of the Maoris developing their remaining ancestral lands.”