NATIVE AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 197, 2 June 1934, Page 8

NATIVE AFFAIRS

COMMISSION AT CISBORNE.

a witness COMPLIMENTED

{Per Press Association). GISBORNE, May 31

Before the Native Commission this morning, Judge Harvey continued his testimony. Goldsmith he said, had full control of the VVaiapu schemes though communicating to a great extent with Wellington. Witness felt sore and would like to see everything come through the Gisborne office. There was little cohesion between the offices concerning the coast scheme. The Gisborne office was hopelessly in the dark as to what was being done. Had there been an adequate staff he believed that the Audit Department would have had no ground for complaint. Witness supervised seven development schemes with an accountant and a small staff and also, as agent of the East Coast Commissioner, he was concerned with farming 90,000 acres. The financial position of this trust had been very bad, but was now sound. Taken right through the development schemes were a success. The work was done more by collaboration, with the Minister than by direction from him. It was what the Minister called team work.

Judge Harvey, in reply to a question by the chairman, said it was not advisable to guarantee accounts with storekeepers. AH that could be done was to arrange with the storekeeper to be on the land when the men were being paid. Witness gave details of the work done by the Maori Land Board, and said that the Board took over Anarau station really to have the land for the Mabris and to comply with the desire to get the land back free of lease. The idea of getting Maori land back into Maori occupation had been a favourite topic on the coast for years. Ever since 1921 that was the ideal the Board had striven for. The chairman of the Commission, highly complimented Judge Harvey on his report, stating it was clear that he had put his heart and' soul into the work.

Rickard James Thompson actingregistrar of the Board) gave a long explanation regarding the Waiapu, Matakaoa and Roroporo scheme.

Evidence was also given by C. D. Turnbull, a public works engineer on loan to the Native Department since last yea r,<regarding work done on the scheme. All the contracts had not been completed owing probably to seasonal work. He could not get the Maoris to register. They did not appear to understand. The chairman.: Isn’t it possible that they want to be left alone? Witness: Probably.they do. The chairman: And smile at all the

fuss. Witness said that much of the work, done was too cheap. Evidence was given by G. F. R* Jamieson, of the Treasury Department, in regard to accounting methods, and Harold Wallen Symes, farm supervisor, who said that the schemes were progressing well.

MAORI SOLDIERS’ FUND.

GIBB OR NE, June 1

Before the Native Affairs Commission to-day evidence was given by beneficiaries under the East Coast Trust that the Maoris did not desire the Government to take over the trust properties, and wanted the land to go back to the natives as soon as possible. John Fenn, secretary of the Ngatiporou Dairy Co., and also an officer under the Unemployment Act, gave evidence of the procedure and transactions in regard to grass seed. Mr It. H. Quilliam (New Plymouth) who appears to assist the Commission, referred to the’ Maori Soldiers’ Fund, which had totalled about £42,000, and was spent on three farms. One was a failure, and, the others proved very expensive, said counsel. He felt that the fund must be regarded as entirely lost. ' ~ Captain Pitt gave long evidence about the position of the Maori Soldiers’ Fund, which, he said, was stinted in 1917 at the dedication of the carved hall at Sir Apirana Ngata’s house. On that occasion £3BSO was collected on the marae from visiting natives, and handed to Sir Apirana, but he paid it back as a nucleus to the Maori Soldiers’ Fund. Witness detailed the collections, including a sum of £17,000 at a lmi in Gisborne. Witness detailed farm ventures, which had proved unlucky, and attributed the failure to inexperience.