MAORI PROBLEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 32

MAORI PROBLEMS.

FARM LANDS AND FINANCE. GISBORNE, March 3. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) was accorded an enthusiastic welcome by several hundred Natives on the Maras at the hui this morning, where he and his party were the guests of honour at a luncheon tendered by Lady Carroll. The following petition from the Maori chief-i was presented to the Prime Minister:— “ In reviewing the general position of tha Maori race to-day, the representatives who have assembled to honour the memory of your old colleague and lifelong friend, Sir James Carroll, desire to emphasise three main features—namely, (1) That statistics reveal a steady increase in the Maori population, which, among other things, has accentuated the problem of the conservation for the Maoris of the most suitable lands for farming remaining to the race; (2) that the definition of the titles to Native lands has definitely passed to the stage when individual and family interests must be consolidated, necessitating the pressing on of schemes for the consolidation of Interests; (3) that if settlement by Maoris of their lands is to succeed adequate finance will have to be immediately provided. We have been informed that the funds under the control of the Native Trustee and Maori Land Boards for lending to Maori farmers on security of their lands are almost exhausted. Tbese funds were entirely provided from Maori sources, but have not been supplemented in any way by the State. We are of the opinion that the resources of the State Advances Office, even if open to Maori applicants, will not be taken advantage of to any great extent by our neople. That office is not suited to the peculiarities of the race, and we would •prefer the financing to be done, as now, through the machinery of the Native Trust Office and Maori Land Boards. We know your Government is anxious to assist to the best of its ability, and we are pleased with the announcement you have already made in that respect. We are submitting with due deference that that assistance should be in a form and administered In a manner most suited to the nature of bur people.” In reply, Sir Joseph Ward referred to the progress of the Maori race since 1896, when the Ureweia Country was partiallyopened up. He reminded the gathering that in the last session he introduced a clause granting Maori land owners the same rights a-> the pakehas in obtaining money from the State Advances Department on the same terms and conditions. He pointed out that It was not easy to give effect to the Natives’ requests owing to the difficulties in raising large sums in the Dominion, and the amount that could be raised in one year must necessarily be restricted. With the earnest desird to help Maori settlement and their utilisation of property on a profitable basis, he would consider the questions with a view to effecting an improvement, if possible.