G.—10.

the subject in the main as an important feature in the larger problem of the cultural adjustment between Western and Maori culture. It is a simple conclusion to say that success may come from a judicious selection and combination of elements of the two, once it is understood and conceded that much of the old regime still lingers and still influences the Maori in his everyday life, and that the approach to his mind is still largely by the old-time paths. The exponents of the new culture, whether European teachers and supervisors or educated men of the race, may demonstrate the superiority of new methods and teach their technique, but they cannot succeed unless they inspire some leader of the people to translate the new concepts into deeds that owe their eloquence and significance to the fact that they are performed with understanding by the Maoris for themselves. The Development Schemes. The schedules attached to this statement show that at the 31st August, 1931, there were fortyone schemes in operation or authorized. Work had been commenced on all but two. Investigations in connection with Tauranga and Te Kaha were still under way, but it was expected that a beginning would be made during the financial year. The Selection of Areas. Ultimately the decision to apply the development provisions of the appropriate legislation to any area or areas of land owned or occupied by Maoris rests with the Native Minister. In all but six of the thirty-nine development areas in which the schemes are operative the Minister made personal inspection with officers and supervisors, and explained the policy to the Maori communities concerned. The definition of the scope of any scheme was determined in detail by officers who were required to take every possible factor into consideration, and, above all, the psychological, social and tribal elements discussed above. If leadership was lacking, or if the tribe or subtribe concerned showed in its history and traditions undesirable characteristics, then, though other conditions might be favourable, the undertaking was delayed or refused. In some districts and among some of the tribes there was evident hostility to the policy, a suspicion that there was some sinister motive behind it, or a pessimistic view of the capacity of a particular tribe to develop and farm land successfully The human element has been regarded as the principal factor the decisive one— f after taking into consideration the quality of the land, accessibility, suitability for subdivision and other settlement conditions. ' ' It should be stated that of the unused and undeveloped lands of the Dominion there is a larger proportion in Maori ownership than in that of the Crown. This may be expected at this stage in the development of New Zealand; the Crown purchased freely from the Native owners in the past and opened for settlement all areas economically suitable. The Native owners have retained valuable lands which are in a more or less undeveloped state. The Native-land-development policy therefore finds a greater extent of country available for its prosecution. The demand from Maori communities for assistance through the development policy, hesitating in the first year, has increased greatly in the current year, due in part to the practical results already made manifest, but in a greater degree to the pressure of the times. It has not been possible to keep pace with it, not only for financial reasons, but because it was not considered desirable that the system should expand too quickly. Classification oe Schemes. The schemes may be classified according to— (1) Their geographical distribution. As the organization of the Maori Land Boards is used in all cases but one for local administration and general supervision, the various schemes fall into the existing Maori land districts. The summary given at the end of the attached schedules may for convenience be referred to here :—

Schemes and Summary of Areas.

XV

Name of District. loheme 8 ? f | Area in Schemes. ' Estimated Area cultivable. m , A - R - P- A. B. P. ™™\, 5 437,635 117-7 150,000 0 0* Waikato-Mamapoto .. .. 9 22,044 2 23-6 18 500 0 0 J &mn \\. 15 90,200 112-1 0 0 Tairawniti 5 29,003 1 1-9 25,700 0 0 £ otea 2 7,716 2 34 6,500 0 0 « r °\\- , 2 1,674 2 36-5 1,600 0 0 bontn Island .. .. .. 3 2 12 3,000 0 0 Grand totals .. .. 41 591,524 2 17-8 248,200 0 0 * This is a guess and may be very wide of the mark.