PROGRESSIVE MAORIS.

Shannon News, 7 August 1923, Page 4

PROGRESSIVE MAORIS.

BIG DAIRYING SCHEME. Important proposals, enabling the Maoris living on the coast (between Opotiki and Cape Runaway to engag'e in dairying are now under the consideration of the Native Land Court. It is proposed, to incorporate the native blocks leased t® Europeans, and in the case ,of the Raukokore Natives it is proposed to borrow £30,000 on the rents security, interest, and sinking fund. A portion of this capital will be used in the erection and equipment of a dairy’factory, and the remainder will be lent on mortgage to Natives who have a freehold security for the purchase of cows, dairy utensils, and the improvement of pastures. The interest and sinking fund will be deducted from the dairy cheques. A siiiiilar scheme is proposed in the case of the To Kaha Natives. It is intimated that the Raukokore land is carrying fifteen hundred cows, and the To Kaka and Omaio a thousand. There are also other areas of good land nearer Opotiki.

A modest estimate of the total number of cows that could be carried on the land on the coast of this country occupied by Natives is three thousand. The Government is now considering representations to expedite the construction of the coast road and erect a bridge on the Motu river.