IDLE MAORI LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1978, 7 February 1914, Page 12

IDLE MAORI LANDS.

HON. W. ERASER AT KAWIIIA. <8y Ootre.spehdsttU Auckland, February 5. The Hon, W. Eraser, Minister of Public Works, has been making bis first visit to tho groat bush territory lying between To Awamutu and. tho jiawliip and Aotca Harbours. Ho was entertained last evening at Kawhia, and, in teply tp the toast of bis health) ho expressed his satisfaction at being able to accept tho invitation to visit Kawhia, because, as Minister of Public Works, ] it iya,s bis duty to acquaint himself with_ tho needs of all portions of tho Dominion. He had not come, however, : to make promises which it would be impossible for him"to fulfil. The Publie Works appropriations had to bo approved by Cabinet, and voted by Parliament, each electorate receiving a dc- : finito allocation. Ho was, however, prepared to help those who helped themselves. He recognised that the district was boihg strangled by unoccupied Native land, the settlement of which svas an exceedingly dwndtttt problem, in that it was necessary to deal ■equitably between Maoris and Europeans. Kawhia was unquestionably a hack-Masks district, a largo portion of which was as yet unoccupied., and yield*ii!E' no revenue, . but the, ■Government . was always frilling to assist the striiggling settler. Tftg Minister went Qii to rof:or,.. l tp the extremely successful flo;tni|ph,!,of ,the i4J ftitilion loan,! and. jhe ■ cou'elu.ded with an eulogistic reference to the Prime Minister, who bad devoted' himself .with such enthusiasm to public lifoi and had homo the ai'duous duties of. an exceptionally heavy .session, until bis bealth broke under tho strain; Ho could say that no Prime Minister had j ever commanded more loyal support | from his colleagues and party,