NATIVE AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22295, 22 June 1934, Page 10

NATIVE AFFAIRS

EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMISSION ALLEGATION OF UNDERSTATING (Feb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 21. Allegations that the Native Aiiairß Department had been understaffed, that the accommodation in the head office, was a disgrace, and that the late Under-secre-taiy, Juuge Jones, had been of no assistance whatever to the land development scnemes, with the result tnat the Minister in Charge, Sir Apirana Ngata, had been forced into the position of supplying the deficiency by having to make personal contact with the Maoris were made by Mr John Thompson, a retired public servant, in evidence given before the Royal Commission "to-day. Replying, the Public Service Commissioner, Mr P. Verschaffelt, denied that there had been any undue delay on his part in meeting the requirements of the department. The commission inquired at considerable length into the progress of and the benefit to the Natives of the land development schemes. Judge J. W. Browne, of the Native Land Court, and president of the Aotea District Maori Land Board, and other witnesses strongly opposed any suggestion to abolish the land boards in favour of centralised control and supported the Minister's policy of placing Maoris on the land in consolidated families or groups. Mr Thompson served for 44 years in the Lands and Native Departments. At the time of his retirement from the public service in 1932 he was land purchase officer for the Dominion and consolidation and development officer for the Ngatiwhatua tribe in North Auckland. Touching upon the administration of the Native Affairs Department, he said that even before his retirement it was obvious .that the department wa s understaffed, and he was surprised that the Publie 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. The 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 clients in the same room.

"The late Under-secretary was of no assistance whatever to the schemes," said the witness. "Although be was in charge 'of the department, the whole of the detail working and administration of the schemes was carried out by the chief clerk; Mr Shepherd. It was perhaps ':ot to be expected that a man who was 69 years of age would take the 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 Waikato-Maniapoto district consolidation has been hampered by the attitude of, the president, Judge M'Cormick, who, however, has not. enjoyed good health for the last five years. Unfortunately, the judge was not greatly interested in consolidation, which caused the work to be stillborn. The want of enthusiasm and the failure of the judge 40 display interest in the life and work o* the Native people necessitated the Native Minister being forced into the position ot supplying the deficiency by, personal contact. In appointing the present Under-secretary, with _no experience in settlement or farming, and, in fact, with no experience ot 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 interests of the Maori people, that such a person should hold the position? They have enough difficulties without putting this obstacle in his w-iy. The Maori people want all the assistant" 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 pf tfcp aboriginal race which is entitled to our help and guidance" In his evidence the Public Service Commissioner outlined the steps he had taken following the discovery of the unsatisfactory position of the Native Departments accounts and stores records. He denied that, there had heen any undue. delay on his part in meeting the requirements ot the '- '',' ■ . Mr Quilliam: You heard Mr Thompson suggest that you are. to blame tor tlie understamne of the Native Department.' —-Yes. ' Can you say whether you have, disregarded any recommendation or requests for additional staff made by the department?—No request has been disregarded. You know of no justification for the complaint of delay on your part?—No.