RELIEF PAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21403, 30 January 1933, Page 11

RELIEF PAY

Sir, —"Ratepayer's" reference to Maoris paying rates and pioneers is superfluous and beside the question. "Ratepayer" knows, oi- should know, that rates on Maori land hero in Taupo are infinitesimal in comparison with the £2O or so we pay in the course of a year for rent. I did not advocate them going on the land. What I did say was that they received the samo relief as myself, although possessing an acre or two of land here or there which could be utilised to supplement their wages, thereby lessening the burden on the few of us who do not possess such a chance. As regards the oft-repeated criticism of Taupo's pumice soil, I can refer "Ratepayer" to another well-known pioneer and authority 011 this question, Mr. H. Hill, who at 110 distant date published in your columns a letter stating ho had grown successfully all kinds of edible vegetables from the virgin land itself. And he is not alone who has done so; perseverance and patience being the only means needed toward this end. It is nonsense to imply that the afforestation here is running at full strength. Is there a company or concern throughout the country doing so? "Ratepayer" quite realises, but would not state, why half the Maoris now on relief work were, until recently, employees of this same afforestation camp.

Penury