MAORI FARMERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1681, 22 February 1913, Page 11

MAORI FARMERS.

AT RENANA AND JERUSALEM, MR. HERRIES' VISIT TO UPPER WANGANUI. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Pipirikl, February 18. When the Hon. W. H. Herries, Kativo Minister, went on a visit .to Jerusalem, Upper Wanganui, ono of the objects was to meet certain Natives in connection with the farming of a block of'Nativo land at linnana and Jerusalem under rather unusual circumstances. , The blocks contain about 15,000 acres, and tho river frontages at ltanana and Jerusalem aro historic Maori cultivations. Up till about forty years ago large areas ot wheat and potatoes were grown there, but in liioro recent years the ill-elfccts Of intoxicating liquors and the' excitement 'oft tho Maori wars ended the agricultural industry, of the Natives, with tho result that cultivated areas reverted to scrub and woods. In order to remedy matters these lands were vested in the Aotea District Maori Land Board. In 1910 the board decided to work the lauds as a farm under a committee of management elected by tho owners (some .800 odd),'and a manager appointed by the board. Mr. Gregor H'Gregor. was appointed, manager, and about two years ago began tho heavy task of reclaiming tho wilderness of woods and introducing ..up-to-date methods of forming. At the time he took charge only about 1000 acres of land remained open. This area was in worn-out pasture with weeds of all descriptions in it. About 500 acres were absolutely covered with blackberry, and another 500 acres had blackberry dotted over it. Thero were no fences or tracks worthy of the name. The stock on the place was owned by about a dozen of the owners, and consisted of a nondescript lot of in-bred sheep; cattle, horses, and pigs. The mission of Mr. M'Gregor and his committeo is to femedy this state of things by making tho land a modern productive farm. The board's view of the venture is wide and comprehensive. It goes to tho root of the Maori character, .and makes a bold attompt to plnco a useful destiny ahead of him, introducing the practice rather than. tho gospel of work as his salvation in this life. The experience of tho board is that not one Maori in a hundred is able to carry on a business or farm successfully as'an individual. He is a tyro in finance; while he, has cash he never dreams of.a rainy day or the gap between one wool chequo and the next, but as a worker, he is equal to the European, though, he lacks tho tenacity or, continuity, of effort that makes the European successful. Bearing in mind these imperfections of tho Maori, and also wishing to . avoid' making him a rent-receiver alone, with no interest in lifo save' the next rent day and Tace meeting, tho board hopes to uso'his spasmodic labours under experienced direction, and so make him a useful and productive citizens of the Dominion, rather than an idle drone. Hence,., tho decision to work the land as a farm rather, than subdivide it for leasing or for occupation by the owners as individual ers..It is 1 too early yet, of course, to judgo tho success or otherwiso of this ideal put into practice, but from an inspection of the land it .is quite evident the management of the farm mean business. .In place of the picture of neglect depicting the land as it was two years ago, there are now tho appointments of a modem "farm, With the stock, some 3000' sheep and' 400 cattle,. looking: well. . .i .. A small sawmill plant is being installed, witli which to cut timber for wool-shed and other farm requirements, and for tho better housing of the Natives resident on tho block. Tho principal works done oil the farm are'done by contract by parties of the' Native owners themselves. ' They are, of course, paid the usual-rates' for such work, and are at the samo time improving the lands ill which they have an interest. Like many back-blocks places, the area,is .not .Served by any road.;',Tlio stock track on ..the left bank of the river, and the rivor steamer service are tho only mcans of access., A track is now in course of. construction to connect with tho Raetilii system of Toadin'g. : When that, is complete.the block will be within 20 miles of Eaetihi. The finances of the farm aTo arranged by the board by advances against the security of the block.