NATIVE AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 21834, 11 October 1932, Page 7

NATIVE AFFAIRS

EXPENDITURE OF MONEY CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION BILL TO BE INTRODUCED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, October 10. An announcement that legislation would be presented this session embodying some of the recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission relative to the overhaul of native affairs administration, was made by the Prime Minister during the course of an interview this evening. TJie Prime Minister said he had dis-, cussed the commission’s recommendations with the Minister of Native Affairs and it had been decided to give effect to certain of the proposals. Good reasons would be given in those instances in which it was decided that to make any alteration in the present administration it had been possible to bring about an amalgamation of certain activities. In some ■ cases boards dealing with native affairs had outlived their usefulness and it would probably be found possible to do away with them. On the other hand attention had been called to the fact that some of the boards had wide spending powers of their own. An amending Bill would make the expenditure of these boards subject to Ministerial control.

it is understood that steps will be taken by the Government in accordance with the Commission’s recommendations to strengthen the administration of the Investment Board controlling moneys in the Native Trustees Account and that changes will be made in the powers at present held by the native trustee, especially in relation to the expenditure of money, developing and farming estates. The Commission expressed particular concern about the control of expenditure which was at present vested in the hands of single individuals and it is believed the amending Bill will give greater control to existing boards in this respect.