NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1932, Page 6

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

When the other day the Minister for Native Affairs referred to the success of native land settlement in the North Island, it was felt that he had not Teplied as fully as he should to the criticisms of the National Expenditure Commission, and this feeling will be strengthened by the remarks of the member for the Bay of Plenty in the Budget debate. As a member of a family historic for its connection with the Maori people, and from personal* experience, Mr. Williams speaks with exceptional authority. Very interesting were his revelations about the Maori Pnrposes Board. Mr. Williams said he thought the only Board he was on was this Board; he said he "thought" because he had not had a notice of a meeting for two years or more, but had never been notified that he was not still a member. The Board, according to Mr. Williams, has been transacting business by telegram, but he has knowledge of only two transactions in the past two years. This Board was set up a few years ago to apply money to the education of natives, ethnological research, and "such other purposes as may be recommended by the Minister," and it has spent up to date £59,000. It would.seem that a meeting at least once a year was essential. But this is not the only Board of the kind that does not meet. The National Expenditure Commission draws attention to the fact that the, Investment, Board set up under the Native Trustee Act does not assemble in the usual way, but transacts business by circulation of documents. It is stated that there is insufficient business for the holding of formal meetings, but the Commission thinks the practice is not conducive to sound admin-, istration. It cites the expenditure of £85,000 tin one property on the recommendation of one officer, and strongly deprecates the investment of so much money without consideration by "an Investment Board." Whether the Commission had this particular Board in mind is not made clear. The Commission, however, while all its recommendations may not be wise, presents a strong case for the overhaul of the control of native affairs. In its lengthy review of the Department's numerous activities, it points to overlapping, multiplicity of authority, and possession of what it regards as excessive power. It recognises, as all must do who know anything about the facts, the value of the work done by the Department in conserving native interests and encouraging the Maori to adapt himself to new conditions. Sir Apirana Ngata has done more for the Maori than any living man. This is not to say, however, that all this is being done in every respect the very best way and at the lowest possible cost. One suspects that Sir Apirana is stronger in enthusiasm for settlement than in the ability to make a pound go a long way. The criticisms of Mr. Williams, who combines knowledge and strong sympathy, cannot be ignored. A much more comprehensive reply to the findings of the Commission is due from Sir Apirana Ngata, but possibly he concedes a good deal of what is written there, for it is announced that legislation is being prepared by the embodying some I of the recommendations. ...