NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20262, 3 August 1937, Page 6

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

The Hon. F. Langstone, who held the portfolio of Native Affairs during the absence of the Prime Minister from the Dominion, will probably be relinquishing that post in the near future, and his statement with regard to policy is timely. The efforts to improve the housing conditions of the Maori people are necessary, and will be of great value, and the idea of using Native labour for the erection of suitable dwellings has much to commend it. Many of the Maoris ar£ skilled tradesmen and there are houses on some of the settlements in the 'Waikato that were built entirely by Maori labour. And if those so engaged should have the prospect of being able to occupy one of the houses then there will be an added incentive to them to work steadily and skilfully. There can be little doubt of the response the authorities will get as they extend these operations, designed to raise the standard of housing in the pas and kaiangas. The progress made on the various settlements is more than encouraging, but the Department must face the peculiar difficulties that exist in certain districts. The work of preparing the land for settlement can be done very economically, given good leadership, but there is a serious problem in some districts, and especially in the Waikato. The Maori people in this part of the Dominion were deprived of their lands. Confiscation is still a terrible fact to the Maoris of the Waikato. They want land; indeed, as has been said: “ They have a passion for land.” The finest pa in the Dominion is that at Ngaruawahia, and it has no land to maintain it. The young people are there, ready to do the work. The leadership has been proved on several occasions. The authorities came to Ngaruawahia for men to direct clearing operations on a block near Rotorua, and what has been done at Tahuna-kai-toto and other small areas near Waiuku probably sets a standard for quick and efficient land development. The authorities know of the position in the Waikato, and Mr Savage, when he met the leaders of the Maori people at Ngaruawahia some months ago, said that their peculiar difficulties would have attention. The great need is for land that can be developed, and made productive so that there would be some assured means for the maintenance of.the pa and an extension of the valuable work that Princess Te Puea Herangi has inaugurated. Mr Langstone can rest assured that any plan designed to place these young people on the land will be enthusiastically supported. The Minister rightly urged that the Natives should look forward. The time is ripe for a movement that will ensure this, by giving the people a reasonable prospect of being able to earn their living from the land. There is no other course open for the salvation of the Maori race. Very gradually have the leaders in this part of the Dominion come to see that the old policy of holding aloof must be abandoned, but they are now willing to make a forward move. If the Government will provide the land the work of developing it will be undertaken with a zest and a skill that will surprise them. The young Maori now sees the truth of the proverb of his race: “Ho orate mahi.” (Work is life). ___