NATIVE AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 62, 14 March 1934, Page 10

NATIVE AFFAIRS

ROYAL COMMISSION

SITTING ON FRIDAY

The Native Affairs Commission, appointed by the Government to carry out an investigation into the administration of the Native Affairs Depart-' ment, will commence its sittings in Wellington on Friday. Friday's sitting will be of a preliminary nature to decide on lines of procedure, and it is not expected that the hearing of evidence will commence until next week. The members of the Commission are Mr. Justice Smith (chairman), Mr. John Alexander (Auckland), Mr. L. W. Nelson (Whangarei), and Mr. D. G. Johnston (Wellington). Under its order of reference, the Commission is to inquire into and report upon the administration of the De- j partments of Government concerned with the administration of Native Affairs in New Zealand and in particular:— 1. The schemes now in operation under the Native Land Act, 1931, or any other authority, for the development of the lands of the Maori people, and for assisting them in farming, and! all matters arising out of or in connection therewith, including— (a) The probability of their achieving the results intended, or of their being justified by the benefits they confer on the Maori people. And (b) The sources from which they are financed, and the expenditure and control of and accounting for moneys, therewith. 2. The funds which are available to the Maori people, the purposes for which they may be applied or should be applicable, and whether they might be used more effectively. 3. Such other matters arising thereout as may come under your notice in the course of your inquiries and which you consider should be investigated in connection therewith. And to make such recommendations as it may think fit in relation to the above matters.