MAORI SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20931, 22 July 1931, Page 12

MAORI SETTLEMENT.

Sir,—ln Saturday's Herald I noticed an article under the above heading voicing the opinions held by an " Old Aucklander," that the Maori settlement scheme is not sound. I ask why so much haste to give a verdict on this most important question? One should at-least give the scheme a fair trial. Maoris are fast becoming Europeanised, and the old communal style of living, which " Old Aucklander" lays stress upon, is a thing of the past, and the rising generation of natives realise that they must work. Like their white brothers they will help those of their own in distress. In the district in which I am at present located —Kawhia —the Maoris have taken hold of the development scheme with a firm hand, and there is every indication that the scheme will prove an unqualified success. Close on 100 years ago the land around Kawhia was a great wheat-grow-ing country, and the land was tilled in a most primitive way. '* Yet four or five flourmills were at work, and at times between 10 and 15 sailers anchored in the harbour loading up wheat, etc. The oldtime Maori could work and the present generation have proved what they are capable of. Let " Old Aucklander " visit this locality and some of the native farms at Taharoa and elsewhere and I am satisfied that he will be convinced that the Maori can work the land equally as well as his European brother if given an opportunity to do so. J.T.M., Kawhia, July 20, 1931.: