Money For Natives

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 44, 16 October 1929, Page 2

Money For Natives

Ten Years Free Of Interest At the Kaitaia Chamber of Commerce meeting on Thursday Col. Bell slated that some 3 years ago, he and other members of Parliament had suggested to the Native Minister that £200,000 should be loaned to the Native Land Board for the purpose of financing the Maoris in the purchase of stock, and farm improvements. This should be provided free of interest for the first to years and the interest would be the Government’s contribution towards assisting the Natives. This sum of money together with other money secured should be locked together and thus reduce the rate ot interest to an average of for the purpose ot lighting the burden in the initial stages of the scheme. Mr. W. Berridge asked how it proposed to have the money paid back.

Col. Bell stated that the scheme would be worked on lines similar to that which was in operation in the le Koa district. The money would be paid back on the amortisation principle. Mr. W. R. McKenzie: Once the natives got the money would it be wisely spent ? Col. Bell: The money would be spent under supervision. Mr McKenzie: Who would supervise it ? Col. Bell: It would be under the supervision of the Native Land Board and the Agricultural Department. Mr. McKenzie: That means additional supervision.

Col. Bell: Yes. Mr. D. Archibald considered that instead of handing the money over to the Government Department to supervise, a local committee would be able to supervise and disburse the funds more advantageously to the natives than could the Government, as the local men would have a knowledge of the people and local conditions. Mr. L. Mclntosh said that the difficulty would be to get suitable men to carry out the work as there were two tactions amongst the natives to be considered.

Col. B 11 said that the purchase of stock could be arranged by the dairy factory directorates. Mr. B.rridge moved the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. G. Rickard and carried :

“That this Chamber approves of the proposal to provide State finance for the Maori on the land to the 1 xtent of £200,000 tree of interest for 10 years on the understanding that where money is advanced progress payments only be made and that in the purchase of stock assistance of the dairy companies be evoked in an advisory and executive capacity.