G—lo

The policy of development and settlement of Maori-owned lands goes beyond the mere introduction of the arts of good husbandry among the Maori people. Besides the important factor of land-utilization, it has as its purpose also the stimulation of self-help and self-reliance amongst a people who exhibit a definite desire to play their full part in the life of the Dominion. It also surmounts difficulties in Maori-land titles, which in former years had dissuaded financial institutions from advancing moneys upon the security of such titles and had thereby discouraged many of the Maori owners of lands from becoming progressive members of the agricultural and pastoral community of New Zealand. It appeals to the traditional instincts of the Maori people, and pride of race and achievement are developed by the circumstance that they are enabled to occupy and till their ancestral lands, which have been in their families for generation after generation. The housing of the Maori people has been steadily pursued as a matter which goes to the root of their social and economic advancement. They freely recognize the advantages to be derived from a " home " not only to themselves, but also to their children ; and the helpful co-operation of the Maori race so far as the housing policy of the Government is concerned is further evidence of the mutual confidence and happy relationships which exist between the Administration and the Maori people, and is a further indication of the desire of the Maori people to play a full part in our national life and enterprise. The preservation and maintenance of their natural arts and crafts have not been neglected, and their desire to fill an active part in the life of the community as a whole is noticeable and has assumed a definite shape. The spirit which animated the Maori race during the recent world war and produced such an outstanding war effort, both on the home and battle fronts, is being exhibited in the whole of their national life. They are playing a very significant part in the drive for greater production and are in the forefront of the Food for Britain Campaign. As an instance of this, the amount of butterfat produced under the Maori land-development schemes amounted to 5,877,482 lb., for the year, representing an increase of 1,015,709 lb., or 20 per cent, over last year. The number of bales of wool produced was 6,512, as against 6,349 produced last year. On the stations financed by the Maori Land Boards and the Maori Trustee, however, the number of bales amounted to 2,815, compared with last year's total of 2,400. On the East Coast Trust Stations this year's clip totalled 2,787, compared with last year's 3,311 bales. The reduction is due to the Mangatu Block, which produced 2,739 bales last year, being revested in the Maori owners and farmed direct by them. The East Coast Trust last year produced 1,849 bales, but this year's clip of 2,787 exceeded that number by 938, representing an increase of 51 per cent. The number of Maori land-development schemes now totals 108, covering a total area of 655,212 acres. On these schemes Maori farmers are being encouraged to undertake all phases of farming life and to cultivate idle territory with the view of becoming producing units and self-reliant members of the community. The results obtained from a number of the development schemes are conclusive proof that many of the settlers are appreciative of the advantages to be gained by wise farm-management, proper supervision, modern methods, and increased efforts. The holdings of many Maori farmers already rival those of Europeans. Live-stock returns as at 31st March, 1948, show a slight decrease in the number o„f dairy cows carried, but this is more than compensated for by the large increase in production, indicating that the Maori dairy-farmer is becoming more efficient and that

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