MAORI LANDS

Opunake Times, 26 August 1932, Page 3

MAORI LANDS

DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH. HOKIANGA COUNTY AREAS. Since the Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Apirana Ngata, assumed office in 1928, material progress has been made in the work of consolidating land titles, and his constructive policy in this respect :s already proving beneficial to the Dominion, by grouping the Maoris on a basis of industry. The development of Maori lands will likewise act as an impetus to dairying. For some 15 years prior to his entry into politics Sir Aparana Ngata fostered the policy ot overcoming the many complex problems associated with native land ownership in the Bay of Plenty, and for over two years he has directed his attention to the vast areas of undeveloped native land in the Hokianga county. The Minister visited the North, and having ascertained that there were some 2000 Maori landholders owning in the aggregate some 40,000 acres, he appointed a Maori Lands Consolidation Commission to investigate and determine the titles. The consolidation officers, Messrs M. V. Bell, W. Cooper, and J. Benson, have their headquarters at Waima, and are gradually unwinding the tangle which surrounds every title. Already a large number of estates have been treated, and some 70 Maoris are engaged in building access roads to the titled properties. In a report issued to Mr R. B. Russell, manager of the Hokianga County Council, the Minister stated that steps were being taken to,, complete some consolidation work more particularly at Waima, Oraanawa and the lands from Waihon to Whaikarapa and Motuihi. There was also a possibility that the Tapuae and Motukaraka areas would be affected by the proceedings.

The development of native lands in the Hokianga district has reached a stage when the title basis has to be co-ordinated with development for survey charges has to be settled. The internal roading of some of the areas, especially in the north-eastern por tion of the Waima blocks (and soth of Taheke), is exercising the attention of the consolidation officers. The Native Affairs Department is also arranging for the payment of rates to the council respecting the lands which have a clear title.

Mr Russel said recently that there appeared a great wave of industry among the Maoris. The Native Department had arranged for the supply of seed, manure, and food for those Maoris who were disposed to foster dairying, and it was interesting to note that many Maoris were engaged in preparing for the establishment of dairy herbs. The Department adopted the system of taxing the milk cheque to a small degree for any disbursement, and in this way made provision for the repayment of the advances made.