Farming Of Maori Blocks Of Land

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1947, Page 4

Farming Of Maori Blocks Of Land

WELLINGTON, Wed. (P.A.)—Nearly every block of land which had been farmed under a long lease before coming under the administration of the Board of Maori Affairs had been allowed to deteriorate, improvements had become derelict and with some farms, the unimproved value had depreciated because of neglect to control gorse, said Mr A. F. Blackburn, chief supervisor of the Maori Department in evidence today before the Royal Commission on the sheep industry. The reason for this neglect, he said, had been lack of compensation payable at the end of the lease. Provision had now been made in the Maori Land Act for a policy of effective occupation by Maoris or by the board for the benefit of the Maori owners. Everything possible was done to encourage and train Maoris to farm their own land. Mr Blackburn recommended that all land should be classified to define land suitable for farming or other use, and to determine areas which should be exempt from the payment of rates and land taxes. Where pasture deterioration was most acute it \yas suggested that typical properties should tic acquired by the Crown and used as demonstration farms where grazing experiments could be carried out and where interested land owners could be given proper instruction.