FOR A COMPLETE INQUIRY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 144, 15 December 1933, Page 8

FOR A COMPLETE INQUIRY

It was not to be expected that the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives would make a full investigation of the charges made in the Auditor-Gene-ral's report. The Committee had two days in which to examine the charges and was able to touch only the fringe of the evidence. Its investigation was really, a preliminary inquiry to discover,whether.there were sufficient substance in the statements to warrant a further investigation, and, if there were, what form that investigation should take. The Committee's report means, though this is not stated in so many words, that a prima facie case has been made out, and that a complete investigation should be made by a Royal Commission. The 'Committee's reasons for this finding are that the Native Land Development work is of such importance that nothing should be permitted to arise which may inIterrupt it, and that the disquiet in the minds of taxpayers calls for a Commission)of Inquiry. This is not a verdict of guilty against any party or person. It is, as we have stated, a declaration that investigation is needed, and, for the reassurance of the public, should be undertaken thoroughly and publicly. This being the meaning of the Committee's report, it would be premature to attempt an examination of the evidence and opinions offered to the Committee or expressed'ln last night's debate. The evidence is incomplete and opinions based on such evidence cannot be conclusive. Indeed last night's debate Avas valueless and almost a waste of time except for the proof it gave that the investigation which the Committee recommended and the Government will apparently authorise .must be conducted by a competent non-political body. This is, not a party political matter, though the Government is certainly responsible for the faults of administration of its Ministers and its officers, especially if it failed to take remedial action when the need was shown. The main question is the honesty and efficiency of the administration. Nor is the Native Land Development plan on trial. The value of the work done is not questioned; but the more valuable that work and the more essential the scheme for the future of the Maori race, the more important it is that its progress should not be hindered by faulty administration. This the Government has evidently recognised, since the Prime Minister indicated last night that he was prepared to accept the recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee. All that can be done now is to lose no tiihe in the constitution of the Commission, and to refrain from such comment as may tend to prejudice the inquiry.