Maori Farmers.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19362, 20 March 1935, Page 4

Maori Farmers.

bued with different ideas, and with a desire to establish themselves in the new order of things. Those men who helped to make New Zealand's name in the World War came back with the same confidence in themselves as their pakeha companions, and; their attitude is reflected in the young Maoris of to-day. Their renewed confidence has found expression in their anxiety to develop something within themselves, something like these land settlement schemes." Another Perspective. Looking at the matter from outside, with aq outside perspective, Dr. Bueh said that other countries with native problems were attempting to settle their natives on the land. This was very important and significant, and showed that the advance of native peoples was reaching its apex. Dr. Buck felt confident that although there had been certain misunderstandings in New Zealand, the principle of land settlement and internal growth would be recognised by all New Zealanders as a very definite contribution to the progress of the Dominion's native people. This would be recognised by interested outside countries. The Maoris had always been held up as one of the most striking instances in which §, native race had not succumbed in contact with Europeans. The Maori population was. now increasing, and young Maoris were thinking in the same terms as other New Zealanders. Development along the lines of farming was a very important indication of the way in which one of the leading native races in the world had recognised its obligations. Settlement schemes would, in the end, be successful. The very gift of such a, stimulus would be of untold wealth to the Dominion. If the incentive to settle and farm Avere retained, then the whole native problem waa solved.

LAND DEVELOPMENT, SOLVING NATIVE PROBLEM. DR. BUCK EMPHASISES VALUE. The encouragement of the • Maori land development schemes initiated by Sir Apirana Ngata was referred to in an interview at Wellington by Dr. P. H. Buck, of Honolulu, the noted ethnologist, as a moral obligation on the people of New Zealand. He said that the Maori race foutd in the development of their land a great incentive and stimulus', and that if they retained this incentive "the native problem would be solved." "Land settlement schemes are the greatest move that has originated in this country for the purpose of helping the Maori people," said Dr. Buck. "Their confidence in a leader like Sir Apirana Ngata has made them eager and anxious to make something of their own lands, and the settlement schemes, with the support of the Government, have contributed largely to the greatest advance they have been able to make. In the past, the Maoris were not quite prepared for land development. Their old prejudices and cultural ideas remained implanted in the background, but a new generation; of Maoris has grown up, im-