MAORI LAND POLICY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 16

MAORI LAND POLICY

Submission By Farmers (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 15. A new Maori land policy, based on the Hunn Report, was approved by a recent meeting of the Dominion council of Federated Farmers of New Zealand for submission to the Dominion conference of the federation next month. The policy says that Feder, ated Farmers consider that all possible measures should be taken to arrest the fragmentation of Maori lands Scattered lands should be consolidated and steps taken to achieve simplification of land titles. After this the consolidated areas should be leased to approved Maori farmers, it savs Where suitable Maori tenants are not offering the Maori land should be made available to Europeans on a long-term lease with the right of renewal and/or compensation in full for improvement, or on the basis of perpetual lease. The federation considers that the Maoni Affairs Department should be given the necessary facilities to initiate the development and settlement of Maori lands. To ensure that Maoris become successful farmers the federation will foster in all ways possible their training and settlement, the policy says.