MAORIS' FUTURE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19698, 2 August 1938, Page 2

MAORIS' FUTURE

HOPES AND NEEDS LIMIT TO LAND SCHEMES TUBERCULOSIS PROBLEM Problems confronting the Maori people were discussed by Sir Apirana Ngata (Opposition—Eastern Maori) during the debate in the House of Representatives. The Government was commended by Sir Apirana for carrying on the various native development schemes initiated by previous Govern-

ments, but he warned pake»:a members generally that to* -.-rry fact that the Maoris were a growing race was likely to cause future difficulties. It is only during the last 10 years, when Maori land development schemes have become part of Government policy, that the Maori has been really admitted to the feast." Greatest Avenue of Hope The native land development schemes were progressing satisfactorily, Sir Apirana continued. They offered the greatest avenue of hope for the Maori but it had to be, recognised that dangers were associated with them. The prosecution of the schemes beyond certain limits might endanger native individuality and community life. The chief factor in revitalising the Maori people had been education — education in several senses, among them education in the laws of health. The environment in which Maori children were being educated had improved beyond all knowledge. The most serious health problem affecting the Maoris to-day, Sir Apirana said, arose from the ravages of tuberculosis. There had been talk of a new vaccine which was being used abroad, but which had to be administered within a fortnight of its manufacture. It might be worth while to have the vaccine manufactured in New Zealand so thai the rising generation of Maoris might be gradually immunised against tuberculosis. The Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser: The department is looking into that matter at the moment. Question of Land Titles With regard to land settlement, said Sir Apirana, the question of titles was still important from the pakeha standpoint. In the future occupation of Maori lands there was a real danger that the State, as the provider of developmental finance might think that it owned the land. The Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone: I can say that is not in the mind of the department. . "I am glad to hear that," replied Eir Apirana, "but it is definitely in the mind of some of the department's officers and some of the supervisors." It was probable that the Maori population might get ahead of the available land resources, Sir Apirana continued. It would be necessary to seek avenues other than the land, and jt seemed that the next step must be a Maori incursion into the industrial life of the country. This would require the development of another asset left to the Maori by his ancestors—his manual dexterity. Sir Apirana concluded by referring to the Government's action in denying the Maoris the right to participate in any possible royalties arising from the discovery of petroleum on native lands. That Was a point on which the Maoris woukl never cease pressing their claims.