8.—7 [PT. I]

YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH, 1944.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACCOUNT.

Native Minister. AN ESTIMATE of the Sum that will be required in the Year ending 31st March, 1944, to defray the Wages and Expenses of the Native Department on the Settlement and Development of Native Land and Land leased to or occupied by Natives, and on Native Housing. Summary.

i 1 * r — (a) The underexpenditure is due to the shortage of materials and the flow of men into the armed forces as a result of which new development works are not now being undertaken. (b) Where Crown or other land specially exempted from rates is being farmed at a profit, a sum equivalent to the rating for the year is paid. (c) Live-stock sales were heavy, replacements being correspondingly increased. (d) As more schemes have come into profit, increased payments have been possible to Native owners of the land contained therein. (e) With more schemes in profit it was possible to meet arrears of interest. In future 4 per cent, interest will bo paid to the Consolidated Fund, the remaining 1J per cent, being retained in the General Profit and Loss Account to meet administration. (/) As development expenditure decreases on blocks, general farm maintenance costs will increase. (g) Refunds 19s. 6d. ; recoverable expenditure (Maori war effort, &c.) £28 18s. 7d. : total, £29 18s. Id.

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1943-44. 1942-43. Salaries. Other Charges. Total. Voted. Expended. Vote —Native Land Settlement — £ £ £ £ £ Gross Total.. .. .. .. .. 702,000 702,000 750,000 687,014 Credits-IN-AID .. .. .. • • 652,000 652,000 650,000 693,586 NET TOTAL .. .. .. •• 50,000 50,000 100,000 Or. 11,572 Number 1942-43 ofFerso " 3 - VOTE—NATIVE LAND SETTLEMENT. 1943 44. 1943 441942 43 Voted. Expended. Native Land Development Schemes— £ £ £ Acquisition of land or leasehold .. .. .. 2,000 2,000 (a) 1,079 Advances to occupiers of farms .. .. .. 125,000 130,000 (a) 111,242 Advances under share-milking and other agreements .. 1,000 1,000 {a) 961 Aerial surveys .. .. .. .. •. 50 50 Development expenditure on land .. .. .. 93,700 100,000 (a) 48,853 Equipment and chattels for blocks being developed .. 4,000 5,000 (a) 3,304 Ex gratia payments in lieu of rates on non-rateable lands .. (b) 500 Live-stock for blocks being developed .. .. .. 90,000 80,000 (c) 98,942 Payments out of the proceeds of farming operations - to persons owning an interest in or engaged on development schemes .. .. .. .. •• 15,000 11,000 (d) 15,739 Recoupment of interest to Consolidated Fund .. .. 80,000 85,200 (e) 114,172 Seasonal expenditure on blocks being farmed .. .. 30,000 20,000 (f) 40,886 Store buildings and plant .. .. .. .. 200 200 (a) 28 Wages — Employment promotion .. .. .. .. 130,000 180,000 (a) 131,165 Charged to schemes .. .. .. .. 55,000 60,000 (a) 50,268 Seasonal 30,000 20,000 (f) 31,359 Contingencies .. .. .. .. .. 50 50 (g) 30 656,500 694,500 648,028 Development op Natives' Lands not included in Development Schemes — Employment-promotion wages .. .. .. 20,000 30,000 (a) 23,769 Advances to Natives under section 48, Native Land Amendment Act, 1936 .. .. .. .. .. 500 500 7 .20,500 30,500 23,776