MAORIS COMBINE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21184, 6 August 1940, Page 7

MAORIS COMBINE

MORE FROM THE LAND PIGS TO BE CARRIED OVER LARGE AREAS FOR CROPPING (By Telegraph.—Press Association) ROTORUA, Monday With prospective committees working in 33 different Maori settlements in the Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty districts, a movement has been initiated among the Maoris of these districts to combine to provide a valuable contribution toward the extra primary production required as a part of New Zealand’s war effort. Proceeding from the spontaneous desire of the Maoris to assist \vithin the, framework of their own tribal organisations, the movement aims at bringing a substantial additional area under cultivation for the purposes of producing maize, barley and possibly other necessary foodstuffs, such as potatoes and onions, and in addition to induce the Maoris to provide a large number of pigs for bacon curing. At present many pigs owned by Maoris are slaughtered before they arrive at bacon weights. The Maoris have entered into the appeal so wholeheartedly that in many cases they have agreed to kill no further pigs for the purposes of their own tribal gatherings. Big Area For Maize A central committee has been set up in Rotorua, and under its direction a survey is already in progress with the object of ascertaining what additional areas can be brought under cultivation and what extra quantity of bacon can be provided. Already it has been ascertained that 2250 additional acres are available for planting maize, together with a further 1000 acres already under development and 120 acres suitable for planting barley. Replies have not yet been received from a number of district sub-committees, but it is estimated that when these are to hand, the area available will be very large, representing a valuable potentianal addition to the Dominion’s primary production. It is at present impossible to estimate the extra quantity of bacon likely to be produced, but it also is likely to be substantial. It will be possible for the Maoris to receive a small measure of assistance where it is necessary through the Native Land Board. _