MAORI HOUSING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22991, 19 March 1938, Page 14

MAORI HOUSING

INDIGENT PEOPLE A SECOND £50,000 DECISION OF CABINET MINISTER'S ANNOUNCEMENT [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] NG ARUAWA HI A, Friday Appropriately the opening to-day of the magnificent house built at Ngaruawahia for King Koroki was made the occasion for remarks by the GovernorGeneral, Viscount Galway, and the acting-Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. F. Langstone, on better housing for the Maori people and the Government's efforts in that direction. Mr. Langstone announced that as the sum of £50,000 originally set apart to provide houses for indigent natives had been spent, he had asked the Cabinet for a further £50,000, and it had immediately been granted. In the course of his speech before opening the house, Lord Galway said good houses were essential to good health, and it was pleasing to note that the Board of Native Affairs was pushing on as fast as possible with the provision of dwellings for the Maori people. It was to be hoped that the Maoris would avail themselves of the opportunity of obtaining advances under the existing legislation, and thus eliminate conditions which hitherto had militated against their health and wellbeing. Increase In Population The increase in the Maori population, said His Excellency, was most gratify-1 ing, and gave evidence that the native people were definitely adapting themselves to the new conditions of life. With better housing, safer water supplies and improved sanitation there should be improved health and a general increase in happiness and prosperity. Mr. Langstone, following Lord Galway, said that given proper co-opera-tion by the Maori people—and ho was sure that it would be forthcoming—with the Board of Native Affairs and the Native Department, the future of the race was a bright one. Those natives who had developed their own lands and were farming them successfully deserved the warmest commendation, and the process should be carried on with all the expedition possible. Government Assistance The Government, said the Minister, had helped the natives in throe ways—(l) in the development of their lands and the erection of farm cottages; (2) in assisting Maoris with adequate incomes through the Native Housing Act to provide themselves with modern homes, and (3) in erecting houses for indigent Maoris. "Very good effects have been obtained in the past year," Mr. Langstone continued, "and I hope that within a few years the health and housing of the Maoris will be first-class. Last j'ear £50.000 was voted for houses for indigent natives. When I went to the Cabinet a few days ago and explained the progress that had been made, asking for further money, another £50,000 was instantly forthcoming."