HOUSING FOR MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22512, 1 September 1936, Page 12

HOUSING FOR MAORIS

PROBLEMS AT THAMES MINISTER'S INVESTIGATIONS [by telegraph OWN* correspondent] THAMES, Monday In reply to recent representations made by Mr. G. Watene and Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., regarding the advisability of developing the Taparahi block at Xirikiri for settlement by the Maori owners, and asking that tho Kirildri road should bb completed in order to provide access to the block, the Minister of Native Affairs, Mr. Savago, has written to Mr. Thorn as follows: " I have notod tho representations you have made in connection with these matters and will bo' pleased to look further into the position. Your previous letter on the subject was referred to tho Native Department for a report. " With regard to tho plea for bettor housing accommodation for the Maoris in tho whole of the Thames peninsula, I have to advise that tho Government fully realises the necessity for providing better houses for tho Maoris in various districts, and is at present giving consideration to the details of a housing scheme for tho whole of New Zealand. Consideration of the regulations necessary to give effect to the Native Housing Act, 1935, has had to bo deferred until a decision has been reached with regard to the general housing proposals of the Government."