MAORI LAND DEVELOPMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 146, 22 June 1934, Page 5

MAORI LAND DEVELOPMENT

EVIDENCE BEFORE ROYAL COMMISSION

FORMER OFFICER'S CRITICISM

MR. VERSCHAFFELT'S STATEMENT

The beneficial results obtained from Maori land development work in the Wanganui district were stressed by witnesses who gave evidence before the Native Affairs Royal Commission yesterday. They agreed that under the development scheme the Maoris'lot was happier, and they spoke in.favour of the Native Minister's back-to-the-land policy for the Natives. Certain aspects of 'administration were criticised by a former officer of the Native Department, who also severely criticised office accommodation. A statement was made by the Public Service Commissioner (Mr. P. Verschaffelt), who outlined the steps he had taken in connection with reorganisation of the Native Department.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the Native Minister's back-to-the-land policy is the most beneficial movement inaugurated for the Maoris' welfare for many years past," said Mr. Hoeroa T. U. Marumaru, of the Whanganui Tribe. "It has come at the most opportune time while there still remains an area of land which, though not quite sufficient to meet the whole of our needs, is of such proportions as to enable quite a substantial percentage of our people to be placed on the land. The land will remain for many generations to come the foundation on which the mana, the prestige, the individuality of the race will be maintained, and the tribes of New Zealand acknowledge that, and have done so for many years, but did not realise the almost hopeless position they, were in until the Minister's great back-to-the-larfd drive. It was brought forcibly before us that our lands were being developed, but our people were not being encouraged to become proficient in. managing the land or in taking part in the general operations." Evaluations had resulted in smaller rents to the Maoris, and their income had been further reduced through ■ the slump. The position became more serious. "At one stage it was considered that our people had more land than they could farm to advantage, therefore the lands were vested in the boards or leased to pakehas, but today we find that there is a shortage of land available for Maori farming," he said. The witness stressed the need for further assistance for his people in the nature of making available further areas for settlement, and also financial assistance. There was no doubt that the aim should be to bring the young people up in an atmosphere of work and thrift which must eventually bo for the good of the race. The board had been of great assistance to both Maori and pakeba and nad carried out its duties in accordance with its interpretation of the policy laid down. "The greatest need of our people today is encouragement, sympathy, and patience from those in charge," said the witness. "Combined with a strict, adherence to the regulations, I fail to see why the Eanana development scheme and others should not prove a success." Representatives of the . tribe1 also spoke in eulogistic terms of the development scheme. . ■, . The Bey. Father Yenning, of Jerusalem; with sixteen years', experience among the Maoris, said that the development scheme, to the best of his observation, had been a success as far as the' physical, economic, and social welfare of the Maori people was concerned. Before the up-river scheme was commenced the Natives were idle and listless for the greater part of the year. As a result of the scheme the Maoris were now for the most part usefully occupied and were gradually, learning the habits of industry,.and learning the wisdom of such habits. ,The Maoris now farmed scientifically under- supervision. "Had there been no scheme inaugurated there would have been genuine distress-^-even actual starvation —during the last couple of winters,'' he said.. "MAKING OF THE PEOPLE." "Consolidation and development of Native lands will prove to be the making'of the Maori people, and will put them back on the land where they belong," said Mr. J. Thompson in his evidence.. \ Mr. Thompson , served for '44; years' in\the Lands and.Native -Departments,T:and at the time of his retirement':; from' the Public Service in 1§32: was land purchase officer for the Dominion^ "and, consolidation and development officer for the1 Ngatiwhatua tribe in North Auckland. . "I consider the ■ consolidation of interests, into individual or family groups is.thei bestVmeans whereby the1 owners can farm their laiid to the best advantage," 'he said. "Further, it is hoped to enable the owners to meet their obligations to the county councils. -'? If their interests' are not consolidated there is no incentive for any one of the owners..- to farm, for the reason that i the other owners may at any time claim the particular area that is under cultivation, and also that the occupier is called upon to pay the whole of the rates and taxes due on the block, although only occupying part of the' area." My. Thompson said that if suitable Native foremen or Native supervisors were appointed, the good will of the Maoris would be secured and there would be no fear or suspicion of the schemes or resistance to their obvious benefits. It was only'the. influence of the chiefs that would hold the Maori people' together and inspire them to farm to the best advantage. I "I have known Sir Apirana Ngata foj over thirty years," he said, "and [this is one of his greatest and -earliest ambitions: to see the day when Maori interests are confined to family groups to enable them to farm, to-be self-sup-porting, and to tako. a proper place in the community." Touching upon the administration of the Native Affairs Department, Mr. Thompson said that even before his retirement it was obvious that the Department was understaffed, ana he was surprised that the Public Service Commissioner, who was at one time an officer of the Lands Department, should not have realised the importance of an adequate staff being, provided. ACCOMMODATION. The1 accommodation in the head office was a disgrace. He himself had had a very small table .in the chief clerk's room, without sufficient space for his papers, and had had to interview the clients in the same room. "The lato TJnder-Secretary was of no assistance whatever to the schemes," said witness: "Although he was in charge of tho Department, the whole of the detail working and administration of the schemes was carried out by tho chief clerk, Mr. Shepherd. It is perhaps not to be expected that a man of sixty-nine years of age would take tho same interest as a younger man. But who is responsible for this position? Why did the Public Service Commissioner retain a man in the service who had reached the age limit of retirement? "Among my own people in the Wai-Uato-Maniapoto district, consolidation Ms been hampered by the attitude of the president, Judge McCormick, who, however, has not enjoyed good health

for the last five years. Unfortunately, the Judge was not greatly interested j in consolidation, which caused the work to be ,still-born. The want of enthusiasm and the failure of the Judge to display an interest in the life arid work of the Native people necessitated the Native Minister being forced into the position of supplying the deficiency by personal contact. "In appointing the present Undersecretary, with no experience in settlement or farming, and in fact with no experience of Native matters, it is not to be expected that the development of Native lands can be a_ success. In these, circumstances is .it right in the interest of the Maori people that such a person should hold the position 1 They have enough difficulties without pu-tting this obstacle in their way. The Maori people want all the assistance they can get. Native administration is not a matter of accounting or of systems, however admirable, but of understanding and of sympathy with the needs of an aboriginal race which is entitled to our help and guidance." COMMISSIONER'S STATEMENT. Evidence was given by Mr. P. VerschafEelt, Public Service Commissioner. "The responsibilities of the Public Service Commissioner in regard to the Native Department from a statutory point of view differ in no way from .those of any other Department of the Public Service," he said. "In saying this, I must add that in regard to the Native Department there has been more flexibility in certain matters than there would have been in other Departments. Particularly in • the last few years in respect of development work the Department has dealt more largely with the welfare of the Native population, and in respect of staffing I have given every consideration to what I have regarded as the primary consideration, viz., that of helping the Minister to carry out his policy of assisting the Native race. I have been closely associated with Sir Apirana Ngata for many years (nearly thirty), and I personally have had opportunities of appreciating his intense interest in and zeal for the welfare of his own people. Because of the peculiar qualifications Tequired, certain appointments have been made in the Native Department which in the ordinary course w*ould not have been considered in respect of any other Department of the Public Service. The provisions of the Public Service Act in regard to appointments are quite clear. "The system of inspection of Departments of the Public Service as at present carried out is as follows: —Firstly, by my own office; secondly, by the Audit Department; thirdly, by the Treasury; fourthly, by departmental inspectors. OFFICE INSPECTION. "A continuous inspection has been made of the Native Office by an inspector from my own office, Mr. Pearcc— who is at present Under-Secretary of the Department. In addition to this, regular reports in regard to the financial transactions of the Native Department have been supplied to bo by the Controller and Auditor-General, and . I have also been in constant touch with the Treasury. You will doubtless realise it would be a duplication for my own office inspector to cover the ground which has been regularly covered by the Audit and. Treasury inspectors. No regular inspection has been made by any departmental inspector of the Native Department but special inspections have been made from time to time. '' The Commission may be unaware, but as the result of representations which were made by myself (after conference with the Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. A. D. Park) to the National Expenditure Commission, a special committee consisting of Messrs. Johnston (a member of your Commission), Pearce- (inspector in my own office), and Taylor (of the Treasury) made an investigation of the affairs of the Native Department on behalf of the Commission. The report of this committee was adopted by the Commission and in most respects the recommendations which were then made have been given effect to. "The control of the staff of the Native Department is vested in the Public Service Commissioner, with the exception of the following:—Chief Judge, Judges, Assessors and Commissioners appointed by the Governor-Gen-eral (Sees. 4-7, Native Land Act, 1931), valuers and surveyors engaged by Native Land Court (Sec. 145, Native Land Act, 1931), staff for development of Nativo'lands (Sec. 522, Native Land Act, 1931). The position of Native Trustee was exempted from the provisions of the Public Service Act by an Order in Council dated November 29, 1920. "As a result of a rceomuirendation by myself to the Government the position was again brought under the Public Service Act by an Order in Council dated November 27, 1933, and Mr. Pearce now holds the dual position/of Under Secretary, Native Department, and Native Trustee. "The position of President, Nativo Land Court, which was exempted, by Order in Council on May 31, 1913, is still exempt from the provisions of the Public Service Act. "The Public Service Commissioner is not responsible for the administration of Departments and Public Service Commissioner control of staffs does not relievo the permanent head of the responsibility for properly directing his Department. In regard to policy matters the permanent head is responsible to the Minister, who is answerable to Cabinet, which is again directly responsible to Parliament. "Tho Public Service Commissioner is responsible for the efficient and economical staffing; and working of a department, but if tho Minister requests that an appointment bo made to a particular position to carry out duties which he considers necessary it is the Commissioner's duty to supply the staff required (but not any particular individual a Minister may desire). "In regard to my own relations with Government, the Native Minister, tho Audit Department, and Treasury: as tho result of several Audit Reports and my own inspector's observation, and further to a long discussion which I had with the Controller and AuditorGeneral and Treasury in regard to the unsatisfactory nature of the accounts

antf of the stores records of the Department, early in September, 1933, I interviewed the Rt. Hon the then Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Coates), advising him of what I regarded as the unsatisfactory, position of the Department. Mr. Coates informed mo that he himself had had many complaints. I intimated to Mr. Coates tho uneasiness which I felt in regard to the position and outlined to him what had been discussed between the Controller and Auditor-General, the Secretary to tho Treasury, and myself in regard to the position. DRASTIC ACTION NECESSARY. "I advised him that in my opinion immediate and drastic action should bo taken. I further advised him that the Hon. the Minister should be informed of the position, and that if he would concur I would do so. Mr. Coates fully agreed. I saw Sir Apirana Ngata in regard thereto, and discussed, the whole position fully and frankly with him, with the result that he intimated to me that the matter would have to bo further considered by him, as it might affect his position with the Government. No action was taken immediately, and as in the meantime the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. Forbes) had returned to New Zealand, I took an early opportunity of discussing the matter fully with him, intimating to him the seriousness of the matter, and suggesting that ho might confirm what I had stated by a further conference i with the Controller and Auditor-Gene-ral. I understand he did. so. As no action was taken in thejuatter, and as I still considered the matter serious, I had a. conference with, the "Secretary to the Treasury; as a result, we interviewed the Controller and Auditorgeneral. After a further conference with the Controller and Auditor-Gene-ral, as no action was taken, on October 16 I wrote to Government as follows: — "Oetobcr 16, 1933. MEMORANDUM for The Rt. Hoe. the Prime Minister. Native Department. Several days ago I saw you in_ reI gard to the position which has arisen in regard to the administration of the Native Department. Prior to seeing you 1 had seen the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, P.C., Minister of Finance, and advised him that in my opinion the i question resolved itself into largely a question of personnel. After discussion it was arranged "that I should see the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata in regard to the position. I saw Sir Apirana Ngata and advised him of my views in regard thereto. Sir Apirana Ngata informed me that in the event of these views being carried out it might be necessary for him to consider his position" as a member of Government, and that he would require to see you in regard therewith. You will no doubt' recollect that I saw you in regard to the matter and that during our discussion I advised what I considered v the seriousness of the position and suggested that if the views that 1 put forward were not regarded by you as serious you would see the Controller and Auditor-Gene-ral, Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, C.M.G., in connection therewith. I understand that you - subsequently • saw the Controller and Auditor-General. Since that date I have been advised of further views which have been expressed both by Treasury and Audit in regard to the unsatisfactory condition of the administration of the Native Department. I am still of opinion that the only way to bring about reorganisation of tho Department to meet with both the wishes of Treasury-and Audit would be by a change of personnel in the head office. At the present time Judge Jones is both Under-Secretary of Native Affairs and Native Trustee. As Under-Secretary of Native Affairs his position is under my control. As Nativo Trustee his position has been exempted from the control of the Public Service Commissioner. Judge Jones is almost seventy years of age and if retired is entitled to a pension of £520 per annum. He has had long service and the time- for his retirement has arrived. 1 feel sure that no satisfactory solution of the difficulties will arrive unless the positions of both Under-Secre-tary of Native Affairs' and Native Trustee are held by an officer of the Public Service. I therefore suggest for your approval:— 1. That you' concur in my suggestion that Judge Jones be retired from the. position of Uncjer-Secretary of Native Affairs and Native Trustee. 2 That the position of Native Trustee be brought back under the control of the Public Service Commissioner. 3. That an officer of the Public Service be appointed to carry out the combined positions of Under-Secretary of Nativo Affairs and Native Trustee. . I have discussed these matters fully with the Secretary to the Treasury, A. D. Park, Esci., C.M.G., and the Controller and Auditor-General, Colonel G. F C Campbell, C.M.G., who both concur in the views which I am putting forward to you at the' present time. The matter is one of grave urgency. As this matter has -been fvilly discussed with the Rt. Hon. the Minister of Finance during your absence from New Zealand, I am sending him a copy of this memorandum for his information. (Sgd.) P. Verschaffelt, Commissioner." As the result of this communication I was verbally advised by the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister that he approved the recommendations which I had made. I therefore took action accordingly and appointed Mr. Pearce to the combined positions of TJnder-Secretary of Native Affairs and Native Trustee. "Reference has been made to alleged delays in supplying staff. I am, however, unaware of any case Where there has been any undue delay on my part in meeting the requirements of the Department;" Mt. R. H. Quilliam (who appears to assist tho Commission): You heard that you were blamed for understaffin°r in "the Native Department?—l heard that. Can you say whether you disregarded any recommendation for staff made by the .Native Department?— There has been' no delay that I know of. You have gone to the files and you know of no justification for the complaint of delay?— No. The witness added that when he saw Sir Apirana Ngata (the Native Minister) tho Minister stated that he had no complaint as far as the Public Service Commissioner or Treasury-were concerned. Mr; Quilliam: As far as the Rotorua office was concerned the files showed quite clearly that no requests were made to you; they showed that although requests -were made to head office, they were not' sent forward. I think that was the position with the Gisborne office also. In reply to a further question, the witness said thafas far as accommodation was concerned the Native Department was no worse than other Government Departments.