Paikea Speaks On Maori Lands

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1949, Page 4

Paikea Speaks On Maori Lands

WELLINGTON, Sat. (Sp.)—Although the Northern Maori member (Mr T. P. Paikea) expressed pleasure that the Speech from the Throne announced that the Government proposed to do more in the development of Maori lands and to deal with the problem of multiplicity of owners by consolidating land titles, he urged in the House yesterday that more officers should be appointed to expedite this work.

The subject was also discussed by Mr J. N. Massey (O—Franklin) who contended that Maori lands were not being developed as rapidly as they should.

Young Maoris were being influenced by the policy of the Government which encouraged them to go to the main centres where there was more freedom of action. “It is a tragedy that the best of our young Maori people are leaving the country district,” said Mr Massey, “They have proved that they are most excellent farmers. GOVERNMENT NOT CAPABLE “Native land is not being developed. Some land brought into production a few years ago is now going out of production. “The Government is not capable of dealing with land development* es tend tenure.” Mr Massey challenged the Government member for Northern Maori (Mr Paikea) to say that young Maoris were not going to the main centres. Mr Paikea: Insecurity of land tenure is the trouble. Mr Massey: I say that if the Maoris are not prepared to larm their lands, they will havo to be prepared to hand them over to some organisation that will develop them. Government members: It sounds like Socialism to us.