PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1931, Page 8

PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP

Very little has been heard of tht economic position of the Maori people during this time of depression. That there has been some hardship is known, but the energetic steps taken by Sir Apirana Ngata have evoked a splendid response among the people, and in several distiicts land settlement schemes, designed to meet the requirements of the Maoris and involving general co-operation, are being pushed ahead with vigour. The beneficial results, obviously, will b»/ of a permanent character, for large j areas are being brought into cultivation and many families will be provided with homes and encouraged to improve the holdings; and in the meantime the work of fencing and breaking in the areas selected is providing employment for many Maoris. Those who have inspected the work done in the King Country and the Rotorua district are confident that this effort to restore the Maoris to the land will be successful. The various schemes have made strong appeal to the .Native people and the Minister is using his knowledge of their capabilities to stimulate them to continued effort. The purchase of lands capable of development and linked to the earliest records of the race in Aotea-rpa is certain to provide an incentive, and ■this course lias the great advantage of being of permanent benefit not only to the Maori people themselves but also to the Dominion, because of the increased production and the spread of settlement. Quietly, but effectively, Sir Apirana has put into operation plans to assist the people in. this trying time, and while in some of the smaller settlements away from the more populated districts there may be some cases of hardship, the position, taken generally is encouraging. As the result ol porgressive leadership the Maori people have shown marked self-reliance during a time of stress, and it seems likely that the return of more prosperous days will find them more firmly established on the land and better equipped to contribute to the economic development of the Dominion.