NATIVE AFFAIRS ENQUIRY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21148, 26 April 1934, Page 12

NATIVE AFFAIRS ENQUIRY

Evidence by Judge of Land Court WITNESS CHECKED BY CHAIRMAN (l-BISS ASSOCIATION 'iELlQam.] AUCKLAND, April 25. A comprehensive statement setting out and justifying expenditure of the Tokerau Native Land Board on schemes for land development, together with a warning of the grave consequences which might arise in various parts of New Zealand as a result of the failure of the pakeha to understand the mentality of the Maori, was made by * Mr Frank Oswald Victor Acheson, a judge of the Native Land Court, before the Royal Commission which is investigating the administration of native affairs. The witness was prevented by the commission from making a full statement upon the future course of events, on the grounds that it was not permissible as evidence, as it was in the nature of an opinion. The witness, who also is president of the Tokerau Land Board, said the question had a: isen whether he had jeopardised the board's funds by his expenditure on developmental schemes. He referred to the statement of the previous witness, Mr Stubbing, an accountant in the Auckland office of the Native Department, who said the funds of the board would last only three years, and then the board would be bankrupt. The witness said a big proportion of the funds was held by natives who w-re dead, and whose next-of-kin couJd not be found. Accordingly there would be no application. Moreover, money was coming in all the time. Dealing with the proposal for the abolition of the Maori Land Board and the handing over of ,ts functions to the native trustee, the witness contended that it was not in the interests of the Maori or the country. Control from Wellington the Maori disliked. Native Trust Office "Personal contact was the secret of Sir George Grey's success," said the witness, "and in my own small way it is the secret of my own success. The Maori leaders should be consulted before any change is made. I have heard much comment on the Native Trust Office; but never have I heard a word of praise. They regard it as without heart. The Maoris have no confidence in it. nor does it deserve their confidence." The witness announced that at this stage he had come to the most difficult part in his appearance before the commission, and he would like to express his views. "(1) Far-reaching effects will inevitably result from the proceedings of the commission as well as from its final report. A difficult task has only begun, yet already there is considerable unrest among the tribes at the hostile attitude (as they suppose) of the Audit Department, and at the publicity and attacks upon Maori honour. This unrest may grow intense when the commission reaches the districts of Rotorua and the East Coast, where native administration is alleged to be most in question. Therefore, at the risk of incurring the displeasure i of the commission and of the press, I give my views, backed by whatever authority is due to one who knows the Maori, and over a long period of years has retained his complete trust. "(2) Some unsupported charges already published in the press would have been much better held over until after the issue of the commission's report, by which time things will be seen in their true perspective. I am not anxious to give unnecessary irritation to sensitive people. Commission and the Press "(3) Your Honour and members of the Royal Commission understand Maori mentality, and I beg respectfully to ask that right from the start you take a strong grip on the obscure but more vital phases of the situation, and even if it means a special arrangement with the eager, energetic, but always highminded and reasonable press—." His Honour: We are not likely to make any special arrangements about the press. I can say that at once. At this stage, his Honour, who had already refused to accept certain passages of the witness's statement, again checked the witness, and said he did not think he could continue, as he was really prejudging the commission's case. His Honour said it was clear that the witness's statement was not evidence but opinion, and it would be impossible for him to proceed. The witness said he thought it essential for the success of the developmental scheme that the natives should hold the title to the land, and that as soon as possible. European control over the Maori was only partly effective, and was on a very insecure basis.