Maoris and Land

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 21, 26 January 1937, Page 4

Maoris and Land

FOLICY OF DEVELOPMENT MODERN FARM HUSBANDRY DARGAVILLE, January 23. The statement that ono of his chief reasons for wanting to visit North Auckland was to investigate the conditions of the native race was made by the acting-Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. F. Langstone, at a civic reception at Dargaville to-night. There ha£ been certain reports that were rather alarming, he said, and there was a responsibility on the Government to try to eliminate unsatisfactory conditions. It was the duty of the Government to get the natives back on the land which they owned, added the Minister. He drew attention to the work tha't was being done by the Native Affairs Department in bringing land back into production with the co-opcration of the Maori owners, and pointed out that £200,000 was being spent from tho Unemployment Fund annually to help them develop their land. Speaking of tho other purposes for his visit to the north, the Minister referred to the rapidity with which the area was responding to tho treatment of modern farm husbandry. He had heard a lot about the poor gum lands in tho north, but so far he had seen none. The land seemed to be in fine condition. The development of new lands was bound up with the disposal of the Dominion’s produce, which was becoming a serious problem. If the British people could be prevailed upon to keep an open-door policy, the way would be clear for bringing in all the land possible. If New Zealand goods could not be sent overseas it w’ould be necessary to seek ways and means of increasing the population and developing industries to provide internal markets. In his capacity as Minister in charge of the Tourist Department, Mr Langstone said that while the Government was doing everything possible to encourage tourist traffic from overseas, it valued most its internal traffic. Travel was one of the greatest means of education and with the increased leisure of the 40-hour week the Government aimed at giving everyone sufficient income to know New Zealand thoroughly.

Beak: “Have you ever been up before me?” Bad Lad: “Dunno; what time do you get up?”