RESPONSE BY MAORIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 32, 7 February 1941, Page 6

RESPONSE BY MAORIS

PRODUCTION OF MAIZE COUNTRY’S WAR EFFORT [ Per Frees Association. ] ROTORUA. Feb. 6. A splendid response to the appeal for increased maize production is being made by Maoris in the Bay of Plenty district. It is estimated by the Director of Primary Production that the additional acreage required is 4000, and that of this 2500 will be provided by Maori farmers in' this district. This is almost three times what is usually grown. Maori and pakeha farmers, for the rest of the Dominion, provided only 120 acres.more than last year. The area under cultivation is 1200 acres on Matakana Island, at the entrance to Tauranga Harbour, where many hundreds of acres have been broken in. A tractor is working 24 hours a day. Officials of the Maori Land Board estimate that the crop will yield 40 bushels an acre, and steps are now being taken to extend the cribs, which are hopelessly inadequate. One problem being faced is the difficulty of obtaining sufficient roofing iron.

“This work of the Maoris will have a very important bearing on the Dominion’s war effort. With so much extra grain being grown in the country it will not be necessary to import so much from South Africa, and thus will conserve shipping space,” stated Judge Harvey, of the Native Land Court, to-day. The Maoris are also taking an interest in the production of Oaconers. Many meetings are being held throughout Rotorua and Bay of Plenty districts for the Maoris to discuss labour problems, rehabilitation of their soldiers, and participation in the , National Savings Scheme.'