RENT DAY AT WAITARA

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1932, Page 4

RENT DAY AT WAITARA

MAORIS FROM FAR AND WIDE ONE DRIVES IN ON MOWER. LOWER PAYMENTS THIS YEAR.'' PHILOSOPHICAL ACCEPTANCE. (Special Correspondent.) i - The town of Waitara presented a gay scene yesterday morning. It was Maori rent day, and people came in from surrounding districts as far away as Pukearuhe and Uruti.' Clad in the usual colourful taste of the Maori, they rode, drove and motored into town. Some of their vehicles were crude, and one farmer from Waipapa drove , in on his mower, which he had been using earlier in the morning.

Evidently the news that the Manaia Maoris had refused to draw their reduced rents had no effect upon the Maoris of the Waitara district, for they came in large numbers. Owing to the difficult times it has not been possible to get the same amount as previously. Hitherto the procedure was that if a: lessee failed to meet Iris obligations he' was given notice to forfeit his claim on the land. The same measure does not apply at present, as the lessees are unable to produce as much out of the land as in past years. This position is being appreciated by a majority of the people, and a feeling of contentment was apparent throughout the morning. Although some of the payments are small compared with past payments, it is pleasing to note that the Waitara Maoris are ready to bear their share of the existing burden in common with the rest of the Dominion. In normal, times the amount usually paid out in Waitara was between £7OO to £9OO. This year the amount is between £3OO to £4OO. The amended times of payment also seem to be satisfactory to the people. That the Native trustees are trying to do their best for the Maori people is evident from the fact that if further monies ate received from lessees, another payment may be made within the next few months.