MAORI UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1934, Page 9

MAORI UNEMPLOYMENT

OFFICER - CHARGED

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, January 25. Charles Goldsmith appeared beforo Mr. E. L. Walton, S.M., in tho Police Court today to answer a number of charges in connection with his duties as certifying officer under tho Unemployment Act. Tho accused, who is manager of tho Waiapu Fanners' Co-operative Company, Tikitiki, and was appointed certifying officer for the- Native Department under the unemployment relief schemes early in 1932, appeared on 16 charges. Eight charges were of obtaining sums of money from the Government with intent to defraud by means of false pretences, and eight other charges wero of making false entries in material particulars in certificates of tho completion of work under tho Native unemployment scheme. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. F. W. Nolan) had charge of the prosecution, and Mr. A. A. Whitchead appeared for tho accused, while Mr. L. T. Burnard watched proceedings on behalf of the Waiapu Farmers' Co-operativo Company. Tho case was continued in the afternoon, when evidenco was given by a Government auditor regarding false statements made on the pay-sheets and certifying orders, ACCUSED'S STATEMENT. Detective McLeod gave evidence as to tho arrest of tho accused, who made the following statement: — "I am general manager of the Waiapu Farmers' Co-operative Company, Limited, and have held the position for the past twelve years. The company is controlled by a board of directors, of whom Hiiini Heeki is chairman. . ' "Sir Apirana Ngata was chairman of the company from it 3 incorporation in 1912 until Heeki was appointed in October, 1933. In April, 1932, the Native Minister appointed me certifying officer for the Native Department's unemployment schemes, and in this capacity I was authorised to certify as to the completion of work and the correctness of vouchers. * - ' "I had authority to uplift moneys from, the Post Office and make _ payments for work done under- various schemes. I was also authorised to engage labour and to let contracts, but it was not until September 12, 1933, that I received a circular giving definite instructions for guidance, though a certain amount of verbal information had been given me previously. "I have personally prepared vouchers for wages sheets in blank and inflated Contract prices. My sole reason for this was to provide tho necessary loans which the Native farmers .were required to refund to the Unemployment Board. These moneys have been* duly remitted by me to the officer in charge of Maori unemployment, Wellington, but so far as I can remember I never received an' official' receipt for any particular remittance, though I requested acknowledgments. "It is true I have on occasions ditiwn money for specific work" shown on the vouchers', "[and applied, this money for the payment of other work, but for every payment made for work that has been done I have not kept a separato bank account for this part of the work, as it was quite convenient for me to use the facilities of my company. t "At tlie present time-1 am holding a sum of £290 7s Id for" work now inprogress. I have not received any personal benefit whatsoever as a result of these irregularities. So, far as I am aware, every penny of free unemployment money has been expended for the work done, even though in some cases the work done does. npt : agree, with the work as shown in the vouchers. "The inflation of the prices has only covered-the money on loan. Each employee has been paid for actual work done, and no money has been paid to anyone who has not done work." After a hearing extending till early in the evening the accused pleaded guilty to all charges and was committed to tho Supreme Court for sentence.