MAORIS ON LAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21792, 5 May 1934, Page 14

MAORIS ON LAND

SCHEMES IN NORTE "BENEFIT TO THE PEOPLE s' URGENT NEED OF WORK r— —r EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMISSION [b ; V TELEGRAPH —OWN CORIIESrON'DKNT] WHANGABEI, Friday Evidence concerning native land development Echemes in North Auckland was heard to-day by the Royal Commission, on Native Affairs. Mr. Justice Smith'presided, and with him were Messrs. J. Alexander, L. W. Nelson and D. G". Johnston. Mr. R. H. Quilliam, instructed by the Government, is appearing to assist the commission, and Mr. G. P. Finlay, is representing tho native race. Dr. Duncan Cook, medical officer of health for North Auckland, cave evidence that the main part of his duty now was to attend to tli# health of tho native race. He considered tho health of the Maoris was considerably below the European standard. "The Only Solution" , Mr. Finlay: What.are tho causes? Witness: Poverty is one of the main causes. In witness' opinion the only solution was to get the Maori on the land. •There was a slight improvement in the housing conditions under tho development schemes. Matthew Robert Findlay. native farm director in the Whangaroa and Mangonui Cotinties, said that at the beginning of the development work, departmental officers met in order to plan a scheme of work. The big blocks came into force about two years ago. Consolidation work ceased with development work, and this hindered the scheme considerably. It was important that each occupier should know his definite area and boundaries, which would have been known had consolidation been persisted with.

Questioned regarding field supervision, witness said the natives took to it kindly, and showed a desiro to learn more of farming. They showed keen interest in their financial position. Thenaverage area was 50 acres each. Field Supervision Inadequate

Mr. Quilliam: What have you to say regarding tho field supervision in your district ?

Witness: Totally inadequate. I have Written a number of cases to tho UnderSecretary and the registrar in Auckland. In, one letter I pointed out that the success or failure of the scheme depended on more field supervision. I nave spoken to the Minister personallv. and he said he could not increase the staff at that time. The Maoris leaders -were anxious to Co-operate, said witness. They had a real influence with the people, and were in favour of the schemes.

Generally, said witness, he considered the farms would be an economic success. He bad been concerned since 1930 With the Te Kaoa scheme, but he did bot consider it would be a success unless there was a writing down of overhead expenses. The capital expenditure was £24,000. Of the 4000 acres, about 1500 acres had been put in grass, with only 500. acres being good land, at a Value of £7 an acre. The remaining 2000 acres were worth about £'2 an acre. The buildings were worth about £2500, stock about £ISOO, and implements £350. A total of £9850. Mr. Finlay: There was a real need for development work for the natives in the North? Witness: Yes. Conditions were bad. They had previously had bush and sawmilling work, and kauri gum was worth a good price. The development work Was designed to meet a crisis which hrose when those works had ceased. Stores Requisition System

Mr. Nelson: Do you find the stores Requisition system to be satisfactory? . Witness: No. The manures and feeed, for instance, should be in the -ground now, but are not to hand. ■ t Mr. Alexander: Do you suggest the large expenditure at Te Kaoa is the ' Jesuit of mismanagement ? H Witness: To some extent. At present the cost ,of Te Kaoa is quoted at £33,000 and I cannot understand how the increase has occurred from £24,000. I have spent only £I7OO durmy term. , Mr. Justice Smith: Some of it would fbe interest, but the commission will take note of that figure. James Wallace, a field supervisor, gave corroborative evidence that the "great majority of natives were anxious ►to learn the farming of their holdings. -Had butter-fat; remained at 9d per lb., 90 per cent would have made a ■feuccess* ,

U Vivian Trounson, far£isr, of Maro*piu, and a member of the Auckland "TLand Board, said he had come in con,stact with native schemes at Waiinamaku, Whirinaki, Whakapara, and Kaihu. The natives had nothing to do when the bottom fell out of tho gum hiarket and had a hard struggle to fcarrv on until the development schemes were started. He considered the ischemes were a wonderful benefit to the natives, and the only attempt which had been made to improve tho position. The Maoris had now a sense of responsibility an 4 were developing an . affection for their homes. A lot of • clearing and fencing had been done and they were working on the right lines to establish good farms. The stock purfchased had- been good and, generally speaking, suitable to the country. Witness" considered there would bo far fewer failures in the scheme than in other land schemes. Mr. Tau Henare's Evidence

, Tau Henare, M.P. for Northern Maori, said the 16,000 natives in his felectorate had become poverty-stricken 'before the inauguration of the cle--velopment schemes, which had greatly improved the \ financial position and , standard of -living of the natives. The .•Maori council set up under the Ad- ; ministration Act had made a law that ia loafer could not live by "sponging" I,on. a unit occupying a property. £ Mr. Justice Smith said he would li'ko to receive a copy of the laws made by the council.

v Witness said about 5000 Ratana "natives in tho North were opposed to the scheme.

- Mr. Justice Smith: How are the "Ratana natives living?

Witness; I do not know, but they 7are carrying on in some way.

Rodney Coates, farmer, Matakohe, gave evidence of the great 'benefit of the development schemes in his - district, where the Maoris had previously been reducjed'to great poverty. Mr. Alexander: Do you know the relative cost of supervision of tho Land and Native. Departments? Witness: Yes. I have been on committee's dealing with that aspect. Although I might get into hot water, f am prepared to say the cost of supervision iu the Native Department is half that of the Lands Department. Tho hearing was adjourned.