LAND DEVELOPMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 70, Issue 81, 13 June 1944, Page 4

LAND DEVELOPMENT

MINISTER PRAISES WORK IN ROTORUA AREA The transformation under native land development schemes of country which was in some parts of the North Island previously unbroken wilderness into smiling farms, was referred to by the Native Minister (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), in an interview. Mr Mason recently paid a visit of some 12 days to inspect native land development schemes in the East Coast, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua districts. He said that what he had seen was most encouraging. The purpose of the. visit, said the Minister, was largely to meet the people engaged on the farms, to see how they were progressing, and to discuss with them any difficulties that had arisen. He had been accompanied by Mr G. P. Shepherd, Chief Judge of the Native Land Court and Under-Secretary of the Native Department, Mr M. R. Jones, private secretary, and the chief supervisor, Mr A. F. Blackburn. The party had been warmly welcomed everywhere, and full discussions had taken place regarding many administrative and other questions. In common with the farming operations of the pakeha, continued the Minister, the Maori development schemes had felt the difficulty due to: the shortage of such requisites as manures, fencing wire and build,ing materials. Nevertheless, the impression gained as a result, of the tour was a decidedly encouraging one. The development schemes in many districts had transformed much of the native land into splendid farms. This was clear to the most casual visitor to the Rotorua district, who contrasted its appearance, with that of a dozen or more years ago. Where fern and ti-tree scrub constituted almost the whole view, today green pastures dominated the landscape. The town of Rotorua had felt the strong impulse of the prosperity arising from the production of these pastures. The railway returns relating to produce bore eloquent testimony to what had been done. Perhaps the most remarkable of the development schemes were Ruatoki, just south of Taneatua, and Hora Hora, just south of Rotorua. In each case it. was possible to obtain a view over thousands of acres of countryside all in. beautiful farms where a few years ago there was unbroken wilderness.

Spirit of the Maori People "More important than the change in the land, however," said the Minister, "is the spirit of the Maori people. They have accomplished a wonderful work, and in spite of the difficulties Avhich the war imposes, there appeared no doubt as to the determination of the Maori people to continue their efforts which have, been so successful to date. The members of the party were of the opinion that the purpose ,of the tour which was primarily to secure the closest sympathy and co-opera-tion between the people and the administration was fully attained." The Minister added that discussions took place in many centres with reference to securing land for returned servicemen. The Maori people were, very concerned about the matter. In some instances the Maoris themselves had land that could be available; in other parts their land was insufficient even for their own present requirements.