On The Land

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 762, 7 September 1929, Page 27

On The Land

The Maori As a Farmer Experience On the East Coast A REPORT issued this week by the Native Lands Department referred to the fact that the Maori was turning more and more to the land as a means of earning a livelihood As the various blocks are consolidated the native is assuming individual control; for the most part, dairving is receiving the greatest attention.

Not only is the Maori giving his attention to farming; the methods with which he is tackling the job would be well worthy of emulation by many Pakehas. Particularly is this the case down the East Coast where, under the leadership of Sir Apirana JJgata, the Maori has shown considerable activity in farming over the past (our or five years. In the valley of the Waiapu, large areas of leasehold land have fallen back on the hands of the natives during the past decade. These blocks have been gradually consolidated, and are now mostly held by individual owners, who show every indication of becoming prosperous farmers. The system under which Sir Apirana X'gata worked was based on co-opera-tion. A large block of country was mortgaged, and a loan raised to finance the new chum farmers. As individuals they were practically penniless, and the land itself was without dwellings, fences, or buildings of any kind. All the cattle had to be brought from outside.

A central committee, presided over by Sir Apirana Ngata. decided that all natives linking up with the scheme had to obey its dictates. It was decided to build a butter factory, and purchase the dairy cattle in one draft from the best Taranaki herds. Pedigree hulls were bought, and no member of the organisation, under severe penalty, was allowed to have a scrub bull among his herd. Most of the machinery and plant purchased from the various sheds was of the one type; by this means the committee was alto to strike a most satisfactory deal, and ensured the companies concerned

keeping an expert and sufficient spare parts in the district.

On these lines with the dairymen, by the central committee, which kept in close to»th with Government officials and other experts, the Maoris of the Waiapu have been able to give the lie to the many who considered that the natives could not settle down to steady work. There have been failures, but these have been eclipsed by the large section which is gradually making the district more prosperous and more highly productive. In addition, there is a better tone among the native population, which is not living from day to day, as in the past. Each year has recorded an increase in production. _- ‘i the Bay of Plenty, near Te Kaha, the natives started dairying in a smaller way. The land was not so rich, nor was there quite so much of it. Nevertheless the Maori is using his land to advantage, and from a more easy-going individual who did not care what happened as long as he could get enough to eat, he has been changed into a steady toiler with a pride in his little holding. The lesson taught by the East Coast Native Council coqld well be emulated by the Northern native in a far greater degree than is the case at present. Down the East Coast the native did not wait for the Government or any outside aid. What success he has attained has been due entirely to his own effort. He has proved the value of co-operative effort freed from heavy overhead, and in this can teach a lesson even to the Pakelia in many of the more prosperous districts.