NATIVE LANDS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19783, 26 April 1934, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS

EXPENDITURE ON DEVELOPMENT JUSTIFICATION AND WARNING By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, April 25. A comprehensive statement setting out and justifying the expenditure of the Tokerau Native Land Board on schemes for land development, together with a warning of grave consequences which might arise in various part of New Zealand as a result of the failure of the pakeha to understand the mentality of the Maori was made by Mr F. O. V. Acheson, Native Land Court judge, before the Royal Commission investigating the administration of Native affairs. Witness was prevented by the Commission from making a full statement upon the future course of events on the grounds that it was not permissible as evidence as it was in the nature of an opinion. Witness, who also is president of the Tokerau Land Board, said that a question had arisen whether he had jeopardised the Board’s funds by his expenditure on development schemes. He referred to the statement of Mr Stubbing, accountant in the Auckland office of the Native Department, who said that the funds of the Board would last only three years and then the Board would be bankrupt. Witness said that a big proportion of the funds was held for Natives who were dead and whose next-of-kin could not be found, accordingly there would be no application. Moreover, money was coming in all the time. Dealing with a proposal for the abolition of the Maori Land Board and the handing over of its functions to the Native Trustee, witness contended that it was not in the interests of the Maori or the country. Control from Wellington the Maori disliked. “Personal contact was the secret of Governor Grey's success,” said witness, “and in my own small way it is the secret of my own success. The Maori leaders should be consulted before any change is made. I have heard much comment on the Native Trust Office, but never have I heard a word of praise. They regard it as without heart. The Maoris have no confidence in it nor does it deserve their confidence.” Witness announced that at this stage he had come to the most difficult part in his appearance before the Commission, and he would like to express his views as follows: Unrest Among Tribes.

(1) “Far-reaching effects will inevitably result from the proceedings of the Commission as well as from its final report. A difficult task has only begun, yet already there is considerable unrest among the tribes at the hostile attitude (as they suppose) .-f the Audit Department and at the publicity and attacks upon Maori honour. This unrest may grow intense when the Commission reaches the districts of Rotorua and East Coast where the Native administration is alleged to be most in question, therefore, at the risk of incurring the displeasure of the Commission and of the press, I give mv views backed by whatever authority is due to one who knows the Maori and over a long period of years has retained his complete trust. (2) “Some unsupported charges already published in the press would have been much better held over until after the issue of the Commission’s report, by which time things will be seen in their true perspective. lam not anxious to give unnecessary irritation to sensitive people.

(3) “Your Honour and members of the Royal Commission understand the Maori mentality, and I beg respectfully to ask that right from the start j'ou take a strong grip on the obscure but more vital phases of the situation, even if it means a special arrangement with an eager, energetic but always high mined and reasonable press.” The chairman: We are not likely to make any special arrangements about the press. I can say that at once. At this stage the chairman, who had already refused to accept certain passages of witness’s statement, again checked witness and said that he did not think he could continue as he was really prejudging the Commission's case. The chairman said it was clear that witness’s statement was not evidence but opinion, and it would be impossible for him to proceed. Witness said that he thought it essential for the success of the development scheme that the Natives should hold title to land and that as soon »*s possible. European control over the Maori was only partly effective and was on a Very insecure basis.