MAORI DEVELOPMENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 423, 6 January 1933, Page 4

MAORI DEVELOPMENT

The Bishop of Aotearoa, Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett, when discussing the Maori land development schemes in the Bay of Plenty district raised a very pertinent point when he referred to the value of the incentive to work provided for the native race through these schemes. "Not only has it developed the land, but more important still, it has created an enthusiasm in the minds of the Maori people for higher naterial de'velopment and the creation of a wonderful asset to the nation (h© said.) "If one thing more than another has been responsible for the preservation and the physical welfare of the Maori race, it is the Maori land development schemes, and they have served a noble purpose in putting new heart, new hope and high'er ideals in the Maori people as a whole." Considerable criticism has been levelled at the expenditure upon these schemes and the methods pursued, and some of this criticism, at least, is not without justification. Leaving this aspect of the matter out of the question, however, there is no doubt that the land development schemes are playing a most valuable part in the development of the race. They have provided many hundreds of natives with work at a time when work of some description had to be provided for them, but in addition to that they have provided work of a productive nature in which the communal spirit of the Maori can be best employed. The Maori method of life has taught the native to work better in company than as ani individual and it is along these lines that the schemes are organised. On the general argument that they have provided the Maori with a means of improving his material and physical condition, and. that they have provided a productive avenue capable of tremendous development, no fault can be found with the schemes, and credit must be given the Native Minister, as the Bishop points out, for the work which he has carried out in this direction. On the other hand, the general taxpayers of the country are entitled to a stricter accounting in regard to the cost of these schemes, than has been given in the past. If details of the organisation are tightened up, a great deal of the ground for criticism will disappear and New Zealand will be able to point with pride to its Maori land development schemes as another forward step in the march of progress.