The Daily News MONDAY, APRIL 9. MAORI FARMERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8080, 9 April 1906, Page 2

The Daily News MONDAY, APRIL 9. MAORI FARMERS.

Am well-wishers of tho Maori race will j have learned with satisfaction of the decision of the Government to put into operation the functions of the Maori Land Settlement Act, the passing of which was last year the subject-

of almost universal commendation, giving as it does the most liberal and comprehensive provisions for dealing with native lands ever made in the Colony. Apart from the economic aspect, providing for the purchase of native lands by the Government, the most important principle in the measure ii that providing for the encouragement of Maori farmers. We have contended always that the solution of

the native problem lies in mahng the Maori a wage-earner. The improvidence of tlie average Maori is proverbial, but oni'e he is taught that lie must reTy on the -fruits of his own labor for sustenance, he will soon become an independent factor in the community. Had the provisions of the present Act, respecting the disposal of the advances, been, even in modified form, in operation with respect to the payment of Maori lands revenue in Taranaki, there would to-duy have been a different stamp of native in this province. The Maori Land Settlement Act is but the thin end of the wedge in a policy which, if carried out to its logical con-

elusion, will, in the course of time, lead to the regeneration of the Maoris. Notwithstanding the improvidence of the natives m this province, there are nevertheless numerous instances of Maoris, as dairy fanners and milkers 011 shares, doing well in southern Tarauaki. These instances to our mind, conclusively demonstrate what is possible to be accomplished in making Maori farmers. In this district as a whole, the great difficulty of course lies in breaking up the communism in the vicinity of Parihaka. Once get the Maori, individually, on

to his own farm, dependent for liis living on the product of the land, and engaged in legitimate competition and rivalry with the pakcha, and you will make a new mau df him. We speak particularly of the natives in Taranaki, wlio, generally, are far from exhibiting the energy or individuality of {hose of the East Coast. Given equal opportun'ly, however, it would soon be demonstrated that the natives of this province are as willing and capable as those of auy portion of the colony. He requires to be taught, however, and, for ii generation at leasjj, rigidly but judiciously supervised. As we have consistently urged, what our natives require first of all, is regular medical attention and supervision. Give him health, purge hiskiangas o( t-hcdiscases that at present ravage his infant life, and having settled him on the land, teach him how to till his J land

for the best results, and quickly, indeed, would the unconquored natives aspire to something nobler than merely imitating the -rices of the white man. Everyone who takes even only a casual interest in the Maoris will watch with interest the operations of (he Maori Land Settlement Act, the success ot which is assured if judiciously administered. "