ADMINISTRATION OF NATIVE AFFAIRS

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4412, 1 November 1934, Page 4

ADMINISTRATION OF NATIVE AFFAIRS

ROYAL COMMISSION'S REPORT.

COMPLAINTS AS TO IRREGULARITIES PROVED.

A comprehensive survey of the administration of Native affairs in Nerv Zealand was made by the Royal Commission submitted to the House of Representatives by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. C. W. Forbes, last night. The commissioners investigated numerous complaints of irregularities, undue partiality to particular families and institutions on the East Coast, and an allegation of maladministration of funds for the benefit of the Maori people. They found that eighty complaints by the Controller and Auditor-General as to irregularities and inefficient departmental methods had been proved, and they make recommendations aiming at securing a better system of administration.

In the opinion of the Commission, the situation in respect of State schemes for the development of Native land and the granting of farming assistance to natives is serious enough to require close and immediate attention.

The Commissioners say that the Minister of Native Affairs, influenced by enthusiasm, launched scheme upon scheme without any reasonable regard as a Minister of the Crown to the need for properly accounting for - State funds. They hold that Sir Apirana Ngata was hound to restrain himself, and to restrain the leaders of other tribes who assisted him, from adopting methods which meant a lack of control over State funds and stores.

Tt is recommended that the Native Land Board should be reorganised, and should meet not less than ten times a year; also that a competent general manager and supervisor should be appointed. Regarding the Maori Purposes Fund, the Commissioners state that there can be no doubt that the Board expended moneys excessively in the interests of people resident on the East Coast and in Hawlke’s Bay, and in the interests of a few members of leading families there and in Rotorua; also that unjust discrimination was exercised.

The Commission says that it is plain that Sir Apirana Ngata misused his position as a member of the Board controlling the Maori Purposes Fund by making a quorum. to pass resolutions under which his children took substantial benefits and. by which ho was relieved of financial responsibility. Between April, 1920, and January, 1934, the sum of £697 3/9 was paid out of the fund in travelling expenses and college fees for the Ngata family. It was also disclosed in the inquiry that undue partiality was given to Te Aute College. Evidence is submitted concerning extravagant payments to Maoris and Europeans travelling to meetings, celebrations, and a Maori football match in Wellington. It was also found that the Maori communal spirit was extended to the use of State motor-vehicles for joy-riding. The Commission reports that there is much disquiet among returned soldiers regarding the East Coast Maori Soldiers’ Fund. Excepting' £SOO, they have received nothing from a fund of about £42,000. The money has been spent on three sheep stations, and appears to have gone beyond recall. The Commission, in its report, reviews native farming operations, the purchase of land, and notes slackness and inefficiency in respect of departmental methods and general administration. Its report occupies 194 pages, but does not contain a summary of the Commission’s findings.

NATIVE MINISTER TENDERS

RESIGNATION,

“In connection with the presentation of the report, I should like to mate a short Ministerial statement to the House,” said Mr Forbes. “It. will he remembered that the Commission was set up in pursuance of a or o mi so I gave to the House on behalf of the Government last session. The Commission has carried out a full. investigation of the matters brought before it and has made valuable suggestions in connection with native land settlement, including improvement in administrative control and in the safeguarding of expenditure. “In a consideration of the report it should not be overlooked that the transactions and other matters that have called for criticism occurred under legislation and an arrangement of departments that no longer exist. The legislation passed in 1932 and 1933 not only curtailed the previous wide powers vested in the Native Ministei’, but also affected important changes on the administrative, as well as the executive, side of Native Affairs; for example, the financial operations of Maori Land Boards are now largely subject to the control of the Native Land Settlement Board and the functions of the Native Trustee and the Under-Secretary for Native Affairs are concentrated in one officer, who is now subject to the Public Service Commissioner. “The Commission pays an ungrudging tribute to the wholehearted desire and enthusiasm of the Native Minister to establish his people on the land, gmd the value of this policy is referred to by the Commission in the following paragraph (249) of its report: “There is no doubt also that the various development schemes have made for the physical improvement of

the natives affected by 7 them. The natives have undoubtedly benefited by the provision of sustained work on the large development schemes by the pi’ovision of assistance to units on farms and by the inspiration of hope which the schemes have induced. Child welfare has been definitely advanced and the native population has continued to increase. If the development schemes succeed, the Maori units will become settled on developed farm lands in permanent homes, and it is clear that, in such circumstances, their physical, mental and moral improvement is likely to continue. Such benefits are of great human, as well as industrial, worth; they are worth striving for and they need no special commendation from us.’

“There is no need for any discouragement on the part of the Maori people, nor any fear that the policy of native land development will be abandoned by the Government. “Valuable recommendations are contained in the report as to legislation with a view to improving the future administration, in respect of which legislative measures will be necessary. Generally speaking, these recommendations have for their object: The improvement of the legal machinery for operating the State development schemes, the limiting of the Native Trustee to the functions of an investment trustee, enabling the Native Land Settlement Board to control and supervise all farming operations carried on following development under the State, development schemes, setting limits on the Maori Land Boards’ expenditure on farming operations, validating certain beneficial and judicious, though unauthorised, acts of the Native Minister and the Native Land Settlement Board, reorganisation of the Native Land Settlement Board, making more effective the machinery for the collection of rates on native land improvements in the management of the Maori Purposes Fund, redrawing and clarifying the powers of certain trust boards.

“All these recommendations are at present under the consideration of the Government and it is intended that measures will be submitted to the House at an early date. “As a result of the Commission’s report the Minister of Native Affairs (Sir Apirana Ngata) has seen fit to tender his resignation of the Ministerial offices held by him and also of his membership of the Executive Cou/ncil. His resignation has been accepted by his Excellency the Governor-General.

“Sir Apirana Ngata’s letter of resignation is in the following terms: “ ‘Wellington, October 29, 1934. Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, Prime Minister, Wellington. Dear sir,— I hereby tender my resignation as Native Minister and Minister of Cook Islands and as a member of the Executive Council representing the native race. In doing so, T desire to thank you and my colleagues in the Ministry for the consideration and courtesy that have always been extended to myself and especially for the goodwill consistently manifested towards the Maori people. I shall he glad to render all the assistance I can as one of the Maori members to the Government and the country to prevent any misunderstandings arising and to make smooth the administration of native affairs. Yours sincerely (sgd.) A. T. Ngata.’ ” “Hon. members will appreciate as warmly as I do Sir Apirana Ngata’s intention, notwithstanding his retirement from the Ministry, to continue as a private member, his valuable co-operation with the Government in the administration of Native Affairs and in the preservation of the existing harmonious relationships between the two races.

“I desire to announce to the House that the two Ministerial offices thus rendered vacant, namely, Native Minister and Minister of Cook Islands, will now be assumed by the Prime Minister.”