IN EXPLANATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 9, 11 July 1910, Page 7

IN EXPLANATION.

! MR. DINNIE'S APPOINTMENT. t MINISTERIAL REMARKS. VIEWS OF PRIME MINISTER AND ; HON. J. CARROLL.-

The appointment or Mr. W. Dinnie, ex-Commissioner of Police, to be a chairman of a Maori Land Board under the Native Land Act has causfd considerable comment among members. Speaking on the subject to a Post re- ! porter, Mr. W. F. Alassey, Leader of the Opposition, said that he had abso- ; lutely nothing againLt Mr. Dinnie personally, but anyone who knew anything 1 about native affairs knew perfectly well that the president of a Maori Land Board required special qualifications and special training to enable him to discharge his duties satisfactorily. Mr. Dinnie had never had an opportunity of acquiring those qualifications, and, consequently, one could not think that his appointment to this position would giye satisfaction. This, Mr. Massey added, was not the first appointment that appeared to have been made rather for political purposes than for any other reason, and it was a. very groat pity that such should be the case. This appointment, concluded Mr. Massey, -was on© of the very strongest arguments that could be found in favour of :a Public Service Board. The Native Minister (Hon. J. Carroll), when interviewed on the subject by a Post reporter, stated that a vacancy had occurred, and it had been decided to appoint Mr. Diqnie. The training of that gentleman in his past official capacity, which was of no mean order, had been to sift, examine, and \»eigh evidence, and to take just action thereupon. The native land legislation of to-day had been framed on cleariy defined lines. The President's main duties were to cunsider and give effect to dealings in land between natives and Europeans. It was also his duty to see that thej terms were fair. The valuations wera. provided by the Government, and for the President's guidance the law directed that the rent m respect of leases was not to be less than five per cent, of the capital value, and in respect of sales, not less than the Government valuatioa of the land. "Furthermore," said the Minister, "the lands aro classified in accordance with the values into fii'st, second, and third class, and the limitations under each class are clearly set forth. Mr. Dinnie was one who entered upon his duties with a fair and open, mind, without any unconscious bias, which sometimes arose from long familiarity with native land transactions, and a close contact with the several interests involved on one side or the other. If Mr. Diunie is in fair possession of practical commonsense, and a will to achieve practical results, I see no reason why he should not give satisfaction. At any, rate, we will soon see how he gota on. Until this, I do not think any prejudgment i» warrantable." THE PREMIER'S VIEW. Sir Joseph Ward, when questioned on the subject, said that some suitable mar had to be selected for the position, tho chief Qualifications for which were » knowledge of law and integrity and honesty on the part of the proposed appointee. All these qualifications Mr. Dinnie possessed. In the redent enquii^ of the- Police Commission there was nothing against his personal honour in any way. Tho Government recognised that' as Mr. Dinnio had the requisite qualifications, and was a injwi of undoubted integrity, and one who ' had personally done nothing wrong as Paojiee Commissioner, his case deserved full consideration for suitable apnointment if one presented itself. It A'aij to be remembered that this was not a found position, and that if Mr. Dinnie was not«appointed some other person would havo to - be appointed and receive the sameisalarv — £4tio a year. Sir Joseph W.a,rd addeS that^ it seemed to be peooniing quite fashionable for some of the opponents of the Government to attempt to prejudice anything done, quite irrespective' of the . merits of the man or the necessity for making the appointments. As 'to the. legality, anyone who could suggest any illegality about the appointment must bo , doing it for the purpose of creating a wrong impression. The appointment was absolutely legal. ' If it were not, Mr. Dinnie could not receive the salary attached to the position, and it would scarcely be suggested that he would accept the position unless he could be legally appointed, with payment for the service* he would render.