THE MODERN MAORI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2299, 18 September 1908, Page 1

THE MODERN MAORI.

SIGNS OF ADVANCEMENT. NATIVES AS FARALER& (Special to ‘.'Times.”) WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. The reports of the Native Land Commission, which were presented to Parliament yesterday,, contain several interesting references to the indications on the-part of the Natives in various parts of the North Island of .i. desire to turn their lands to account by taking up ■ agricultural pursuits iu a practical manner. In its -fast report on the Native -lands in the Botoilua County the Commission states that the Ngati AYliakano -hapu have been giving consideration to the Commission’s previous recommendation for the establishment of communal farms for each of the chief ha-pus of the Te Araw.-i tribe. Tho Maori Mission Committee of the Presbyterian Church -at- Botorua -offered, if an area -of laud is available for the purpose of a farm, to provide instructors and erect residences for them. With n view oF taking advantage of this offer, the Ngati AVlia kane liapu have made an offer of several blocks of land from which a selection may be made for the purpose of the farm; and the Commission suggests the acceptance of an offer of 600 acres in Tihiotonga, and recommends that it ho authorised to arrange the details of the scheme with the Presbyterian Committee. The Commission states t-liat it has linen given to understand that the scheme is - ■liclenominationiil, the Anglican, Presbyterian, and Homan -Catholic people having all signified their -approval of -it. The Commissioners add. “the offer of the Ngati AYhak-ano is most generous. _ In fact, this hapu has shown groat willingness to adopt' measures for their benefit-, and in a progressive direction. AVo believe, however, that the other hapus will emulate their example and provide -instruction for their youth on. communat! farms managed -as..the Tihio.ton.ga firm is proposed t-o ho managed. The Ngati AYhakanc are willing that cadets should be received from other Arawa hapus if there should be -any openings.” NORTH OF AUCKLAND NATIVES In reporting on the Ivaipara lands, the Commissioners remark, “Signsaro not wanting that in portions of Die Ivaipara district the- Natives are realising the necessity of utilising their lands in a proper manner.. They have not been an idle people, but their energy, such a-jjit was, has been expended -in other directions, gum digging, hush felling, and other employment in connection with tho timber industry of the district. It is alleged that since 1900 tho Natives have turned their attention more to farming. A -few Natives in each county are dairying and sheep fa ruling. One Native near He-lensvil-Io is dairying on a large eci-lc, and is anxious to secure more land for Ids cows -and calves. T-lio time seems opportune in the Ivaipara district for fostering -and directing these attempts to lead a more industrial life. There is need for the proper -adjustment of titles to secure to the more industrious the fruit- of their efforts, and to the State or other lending body a sufficient guarantee of title. Above aill .there is need for proper instruction and direction that the Natives’ energy under European management and the spur of an assured wage, may be diverted t-o the liiprc difficult task of cultivating land with tho incentive of a hard-won and long-deferred prosperity. MAORIS AS DAIRYMEN. “The Maoris on the whole seem active and energetic,” state the Commissioners in their report on the Taunanga -lands. Most of the country work and of the farm -labor of the Europeans is done by the Maoris, and but for this supply of Maori labor it would be impossible to carry on farming. T-lio Maoris are also employed in agriculture for themselves, -and produce maize, wheat, oats, and Hoot crops. They have been successful also in dairying, and have on one block of -land four hundred milking cows. There as, however, -little attempt to carry on -fanning on individualistic lines, and the incorporation system has not,.yet been tried. They have, however,-come to amicable arrangements amongst themselves so that there is.some security of title to the occupants.”