NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMISSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 April 1934, Page 5

NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMISSION

DEVELOPMENT SCHEME STORES , n AUDITOR-GENERAL’S EVIDENCE (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. Statements that development scheme stores had been used for the improvement of private properties; that out of a total of 27,492 ewes purchased in Rotorua, district no fewer than 3,530 were unaccounted for; that unemployment money had been paid to Maoris who were not entitled to relief; and Innt sums up to £4OO had been paid to well-to-do farmers for ploughing and grassing their own lands, were made in evidence given yesterday before the Royal Commission on Native Affairs. The principal witness was th e Comp troller and Auditor-General, Colonel Campbell. He said that in the opinion of the Audit Office, audit difficulties would seem to have been the result ol tiie system adopted by the Native Minister, which was 1o assume control of administrative matters, and issue instructions frequently by telephone di rcct to local subordinate officers, instead of through the department. He stated that the Minister’s toll account for one year came to £731, which was greater than the amount voted by Parliament to cover tiie cost of the toll calls of all the Ministers of the Crown. Colonel Campbell gave several instances of how the usual rules of stores accounting had been disregarded, and said it was not surprising that the department was un able to comply with the audit requirements. He stated that'a good deal had ben raid regarding the necessity foi studying the psychology of the native when considering the expenditure ol public money, but he pointed out tha< due regard 'for native psychology war not necessarily opposed to efficiency ii •ulministration, and economy in spending.