GOOD WORKERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19802, 18 May 1934, Page 10

GOOD WORKERS

TRIBUTE TO MAORIS SUPERVISION NECESSARY By Telegraph—Press Association ROTORUA, May 17. A tribute to the Maoris as workers on the land development schemes was paid by Leslie Harold Brown, farm supervisor, in evidence before the native commission this morning. Witness said that the Maoris generally were very keen on the work and provided adequate supervision was given he saw no reason why the great majority of the schemes should not be a success. There was no doubt that mistakes had been made and there would have to be a writing off on some properties, but the Maoris would work well if they were shown the way. He considered that they required more supervision than the pakeha, but there were as many tired pakehas as Maoris. The supervision provided at present was not nearly adequate. Witness dealt in detail with the schemes in the Bay of Plenty, of which he is In charge, and in the majority of cases said that under proper management ample security was provided In the land for the expenditure made. The Ruahoki A block was particularly good, and he considered that in a few years it would be the best Maori development area in New Zealand. He agreed with the previous evidence in regard to Horohoro as a poor dairying proposition. It required an expenditure of £1 or 30/an acre on the pastures .o make them satisfactory. He also considered that too much ‘had been spent on the Ngatiawa block of 5313 acres, and that very little of this would be suitable for dairying. It should provide four dairy farms and three sheep farms, but the remainder was barely worth developing.

Witness expressed the opinion that too much land had been brought In at one time, with a result that it could not be adequately supervised. He thought that the majority of the schemes under careful management and with adequate supervision would be a success, but he was a little doubtfut about the pumice lands. He agreed that a head supervisor should be appointed to maintain the connection between the head office and the field staff. W. B. Bradshaw, representing the Opotiki branch of the Farmers' Union, criticised the methods employed in regard to some schemes. One large area at Eiver’s property had been burned out because the supervisor had no time to make firebreaks. The area was put down in grass a fortnight after the fire, but had to be resown again because the take was a failure. In his opinion this land should never have been taken for development. He pointed out that the Natives now owned large portions of road frontages and it was particularly difficult to obtain rates as a result. Trust Board Criticised. Henry Te Rei Vercoe, representing the sub-tribe of the Arawas on the Rotoiti, Taheke and Paehinahina blocks, placed his views of development broadly before the Commission. He did not condemn the schemes, but made a plea for an Improved system and a better understanding between those In control and those on the land. He fully appreciated the work of Sir Apirana Ngata, who was doing a great deal for the Native race, but pointed out that the owners of the land had very little voice in matters and were hardly consulted. He also opposed the introduction of outside tribes on Arawa lands, and also considered that the Arawa Trust Board was not functioning in the interests of the whole of the Arawa people. Certain sections benefited more than others from the Board’s revenue, principally the Ngatiwhakane and Tuhourangi subtribes. He also asked for an investigation into the East Coast Native Holders’ Fund. He had been trying unsuccessfully for years to get a statement. Wiremu Karamana made a series of complaints, against the Arawa Trust Board, and also asked that the position of the Native Soldiers’ Fund be investigated. He submitted a long statement regarding the Arawa Trust Board, embodying features of the petition sent to Parliament. He asked (a) That funds payable to the Arawa Board on behalf of the Arawa people be withheld; (b) that the powers now vested in the Governor-General relating to the administration fund be annulled; (c) that the present Board be dissolved. He proposed that all future moneys be paid to the Native Trust Office for distribution, and also asked that all Native Land Boards be transferred and incorporated in the Native Trust.