THE PUBLIC TRUST.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1743, 7 May 1913, Page 8

THE PUBLIC TRUST.

COMMISSION'S REPORT . DEFENDED. ATTACKS REBUTTED. STATEMENT BY MR. HERDMAN. Speaking to a Dominion reporter Inst evening the Hon. A. L. Herdm.m dealt with some recent criticisms of the report of the Public Trust Commission. "As grossly misleading statements have been mado about the l'ublic Trust Office Commission," said the Minister, "and as insulting suggestions have been imulo about the Commissioners, I had bettor make some statements on the subject. First, let me say this: That all the criticisms published have been passed without the slightest knowledge of the evidence upon which tlu> conclusions of the Commissioners wore based. A perusa.l of this evidence will chow that Messrs. Macintosh and Jlosking were more than fully justified in arriving at the fair and reasonable judgment which they pronounced upon the institution. How the Inquiry Arose. "Next I wish to make this observation: Perusal of Hansard of last session will show that what really prompted the appointment of the Commission was tho tinding of the Public Service Commission (Messrs. Hunt, Macintosh,, and Harr) appointed by the Mackenzie Ministry, and the desire for a thorough inquiry l'nto its working, expressed during last, session by Messrs. Forbes. Witty, Ell, and. 1 think, other Opposition supporters. Then, as to the criticism of the report itself. It is made to appear that it is contradictory in reference to the administration oi estates. On pages S and 9 the Commissioners say: 'As regards investment, of trust funds. . . . the administration with respect to methods adopted in making investments and collecting of the income and revenue therefrom is eminently satisfactory.' Later on it is pointed out that administration (as to realisation and management of estates) is nut as efficient as it might bo made. It should be obvious to anyone with the most rudimentary intelligence thnt the remarks of the Commissioners relate to two iej>arate and clearly distinct matters.

Native Trustee Proposal. "Again," said Mr. Herdman, "an enterprising critic declares that (he recommendation to place Native settlement reserves under special control is a deliberate attempt to -withdraw from the Public Trustee business which he has zealously attended to in the interests of the Natives and the country. It will probably interest this critic to hear that the evidence, which is voluminous and widely selected, is unanimous in favour of separating this business from the Public Trust Office. No one declares more strongly in favour of such a course than the Public Trustee himself. "It should be remembered, too," said the Minister, "that the proposal is to place the Native business under a 'Nntive Trustee,' who, with his board, willoccupy very much tile same position to Natives and their estates as the Public Trustee does to Europeans and their estates. This proposal is designed in the interests of tho Public Trustee, who is being overburdened with work, and in the interests of the Native and his lands. Not a Public Legal Bureau. "As to the criticism of the Commissioners upon the legal branch of the office," said Mr. Herdman, "I am in agreement with what they say: The evidence of some of the members of the legal staff and the evidence of some of tho executive officers amply suppbrt'the'.'findinjjs'.of'the Commissioners. The Public Trust Office is not a Public Lceal Bureau; tho Act does not permit of th.o existence of such an institution. The legal branch of tho Public Trust Office is there to do the legal work of .the Public Trust Office and nothing more. Tho legal gentlemen em- j ployed on tho staff are there to advise the office, to draw up documents relating to Public Trust Office business, to apply for probate and letters of administration, to sue for interest and rents, and to c|o the general legal work of the institution. As Deputy-Public Trustees have been appointed at Dunedin, Christchurch, andAuckland, the legal work at these cities will bo dono locally so as to avoid delay. As to tljo employment of outside counsel the practice which was in vogue before I look offico will be followed in tho future. Barristers of experience will bo .employed when, on behalf of the office, ,or on bohalf of estates in the charge Of'the office, responsible Court work has to bo undertaken. ' A General Review. , "Speaking generally of tho report," continued the Minister, "I repeat tho opinion which I have previously expressed. The report shows that tho underlying principle of the PubliciTrust Office Act is sound and that tho piirpose for which it was established has been well carried, out. It shows that it is managed by.an efficient and zealous staff. It shows how delays can be got over, how congestion can be relieved, how greater efficiency can be got, how the working of tho \lhole institution can he made smoother, and liow well, considering its rapid growth, tho institution has been run. It is an excellent business document by two experienced and disinterested' business men. It is a guide for the Publio Trustee of the future which, 'if ho follows closely, he will not go far..astray. Service to tho State. "I heard this ovcriing," remarked tho Minister, "that in a southern paper some attack has been made upon Mr.. Hosking. Tile otti'er 'day a disagreeable aspersion was east upon both Commissioners by the Otago Trades and Labour Council. These statements would not bo worth noticing were they only intended as political attacks upon the Government, but, as they directlv reflect upon tho integrity of two woll-known apd highly-respectwl citizens of the country, I would like to say that I believe that no investigation into a public concern in New Zealand has over been carried out moro fairly, moro considerately, or with a higher sense of duty than the inquiry of Messrs. Macintosh and Hosking into tho Public Trust Offico. Both gentlemen concerned: accepted their 'tasks reluctantly and under great pressure .of privato business, in the hope of doing some service to tho State. Their instructions were contained in tho Governor's Commission, which has already been made public. They never deviated from those instructions and they formed own opinions, uninfluenced by anyone."

Service to the State. "I heard this ovcriing," remnrked tho Minister, "that in a southern paper somo attack has been made upon Mr. Hosting. The otti'er (lay a disagreeable aspersion was east upon both Commissioners by the Otago Trades and Labour Council. These statements would not bo worth noticing were they only intended as political attacks upon the Government, but, as they directlv reflect upon tho integrity of two well-known apd highly-respectwl citizens of the country, I would like to say that I believe that no investigation into a public concern in New Zealand has ever been carried nut moro fairly, more considerately, or with a higher sense of duty than the inquiry of Messrs. Macintosh and Hosking into the Public Trust Office. Both gentlemen concerned: accepted their 'tusks reluctantly and under great pressure .of privato business, in the hope of doing some service to tho State. Their instructions were contained in tho Governor's Commission, which has already been made public. They never deviated from those instructions and they formed their own opinions, uninfluenced by anyone." TAMER JUICE. The Onlv Cure for EOTII Stomach and Bowel INDIGESTION. FROM WHICH KIND OF INDIGESTION DO YOU SUFFER? STOMACH INDIGESTION," BOWEL INDIGESTION. BOTH Can be Cured Bv Taking Ensor's TAMER JUICE. STOMACH INDIGESTION.—The lining membrane of the stomach is congested and tender, and there is not sufficient healthy juice. The albuminous food therefore ferments instead of being digested. That creates acrid acids and gases, with heart-burn, water-rising, palpitation, eructations, and pains about the heart, and a burning spot behind the left shoulder-blade. There is sharp neuralgic headache, and the tongue is coated white. TAMER JUICE digests all the albuminous food, so that thero is 110 fermentation, the tender lining is soothed instead of irritated, and all these symptoms gradually disappear. Tho nourishment is extracted from tho food, and the general health rapidly improves. INDIGESTION makes life unendurable, and TAMER JUICE is positively (he only cure for it. All chemists and storekeep* ers.—Advt.