LOANS TO MAORIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 187, 29 July 1908, Page 2

LOANS TO MAORIS.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. By Telegraph.—Press- Association. Wellington Tuesday. In reply to a deputation of native chiefs from all parts of the Dominion, who asked, through the Hon. J. Carroll and Mr. Kgata, M.l'., for a special branch of the Advances to Settlers' Department,' tho Premier aaid that the Act had already been altered to enable advances to be made to Maoris. The question of creating a separate fund of half a million to be ear-marked for natives only—as the deputation requested —was an important one. The Government had already arranged to increase the amounts to bo raised for this Department by £1,300,000, and he did not think they could add another half a million this year for Maoris or anyone else. Ultimately, however, settlers who had borrowed would be returning a million a year to the Department*.' and out of this he thought, it would be possible to provide for the wants of tho natives without resorting to the expedient they suggested. As to the request to raise the maximum advance beyond the £SOO now allowed, he explained" that the limit was ordinarily and this would bo returned to when the present demand for money was sati (>d. The'aim of the Government wa& ' j :;i\ e as many as possiole a chance," and iliis could only be done by lowering the maximum. Ho promised to see ,! ntt the Maoris received fair treatment '•'mi the Department.