MARKED RECOVERY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19133, 30 September 1936, Page 5

MARKED RECOVERY

MAORIS ON THE LAND DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES LAST YEAR'S RESULTS (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. "The impact of western civilisation has wrought many changes on the communal system of ancient Maoridom, but the influence, prestige, and mana of chieftainship is still a dominant force, and to-day the recognised leaders of the people are united in their desire to emulate theii European neighbours in the art of agriculture," states the Rt. Hon. M. J. oavage* Minister of Native Affairs, m the report of the Board of Native Affairs, presented to Parliament yesterday. The, outstanding feature of the year's activities was the marked increase in the volume of production, both from dairying and pastoral operations on State development schemes controlled by the board, which, combined with the upward trend in prices, resulted in the revenue receipts from butter fat, wool, live-stock, and other, produce reaching the satisfactory total of £129,787, in comparison with £79,215 for the previous season, an increase of 63.8 per cent. The department's share of cream returns, usually one-third of the total output, amounted to £51,334, an increase of £20,447 over the previous year. Wool sales realised £11,656 as compared with £6346 for 1934-35, and the proceeds from live-stock were £55,753, whereas in the corresponding previous year the returns from sheep and cattle sold amounted to £30,041. To-day there are 73 State schemes in the North Island and three in the South Island for the settlement of native lands, and these schemes embrace a total area of 668,885 acres, of which 161,941 acres are in various stages of development. The number of individual units already established at March 31, 1936, was 1388. It is estimated that these settlers, combined with share milkers, farm hands. and other workers support a total population of 11,023 dependants.