MAORIS KEENER ON LAND CULTIVATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 132, 25 August 1927, Page 8

MAORIS KEENER ON LAND CULTIVATION

INCREASED PRODUCTION IMPROVED DAIRY OUTPUT (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Maoris have awakened to the tact that if they are to retain their land they must make it productive, says the report of the Native Land Courts, which was presented to Parliament today. Increased facilities given them in the way of finance would appear to be opening up a new vista for the Maoris. The report goes on to say that the Maoris, in common with others, are affected by the fall in price of primary products, and some of the Maori dairy associations are feeling the pinch keenlv. but it is worthy of note, as exemplifying their zeal and enthusiasm that the principal Maori dairy factory, during the season just closed has doubled its output of butter, and next season suppliers hope to have between 400 and 500 additional cows in profit. Native flocks of sheep in the Hawke’s Bay district show an increase of 2,700, while the gross total owned by sheep-farmers has decreased by 118,600 since last year. Native land remaining vested in Maori Land Hoards totals 673,715 acres, and funds hold by hoards on behalf of beneficiaries total £576,051. The estimated area of native land held by Maoris, exclusive of that in the South Island is 4 153.796 acres.