NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMISSION

Evening Star, Issue 21752, 21 June 1934, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMISSION

EVIDENCE OF DEPUTY TRUSTEE (Pkr United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, .June 20. Futher evidence from the Deputy Native Trustee (Air King) on the administration of the settlement reserves was heard by the Native Affairs Commission to-day. Mr King said that the complaint that die reserves were not leased to the best advantage showed complete lack of knowledge of the position. So far as the Native reserves were concerned, they were all subject to leases when the administration was transferred to the Native Trust Office, and as these leases had a perpetual right of renewal the Native Trust could not do anything to alter the existing rights on the current leases. The method of assessing the rent was fixed by Statute and could not he departed from. The complaints which had been made were in general terms. If reference was given to specific instances where lands had not been leased to the best advantage, opportunity would be afforded of referring to the official documents to set out the actual position. When opportunity arose for leasing privately-owned land the usual procedure was to get the land inspected by an official supervisor, who would recommtfnd what rent should be reserved and also any'particular covenants which ought to be brought into a lease. When it was considered advisable to do so, lands were leased by public tender. Every lease outside the reserves had to bo confirmed by the Native Land Court. Thus.' if land had not been leased to the best advantage, the court, which was the reviewing authority, was not responsible for such a state of affairs. An account of his duties as senior property supervisor, and details of bis management of the farming of the estates under the control of the department were given by Air C. F. Jacobs, of the Native Trust Office. When dealing with the’ Hakurenga property witness was asked by Mr Johnston if he had told a man on the station not to give any information about the farm. “ Nelson and 1 went to him and be met ns both with the same answer, that yon told him he wasn’t to give us any information at all.” Witness said they were general instructions. He was a now man on the place, He had been there about two months. Air Johnston; He was not new to the Native Trust Office. What actually were the general instructions you gave him ? Witness; Just that he was not to give any person information who asked without specific instructions from the office. Air Johnstone: You knew at that time that the commission was appointed?—Yes, but I did not tell him to withhold information from you. At that time I had no information from the office that the commission was going to visit the farm. Air Alexander: 1 may tell yon. Air Jacobs, that from what we heard from the manager of the station near Waipiro Bay didn’t impress us with the idea that we were ‘being supplied with too much information, so I hope yon will dispel any view of that sort which remains in the mind of many of ns. Now, what do you know about Latta’s duties? What does be report on, and what does be not report on? 1 Witness; Officially I am not supposed to know anything. ■ Air Alexander: Well, I have no further questions. Mr Justice Smith suggested ‘hat the position of the East Coast soldiers’ fund with which the Native Trustee was concerned might he cleared tip. It seemed too much to expect that the Native 'Trustee would get back advances amounting to £65,000 from the common fund. There certainly would bo nothing more. “ I think that with reasonable prices for produce the money can be recovered,” Air Jacobs said. Air Justice Smith; That is the most you can expect ?—A'es. Mr Justice Smith; I suppose it will bo many years before the North Island recovers the advances, and for practical purposes the ,fund is gone?— Yes. Mr John Latta, supervisor, said that at the request of the Under-Secretary of the Native Affairs Department he made a report on the Heretnnga and Manawatu development schemes, and in this he had drawn attention to the position which had arisen as the result of nominated occupiers being placed on areas owned by other Natives. In one instance a person farming a property had no actual interest in the farm except that he happened to he married to a woman who had a slight interest in it. Witness said he had formed the impression that if the occupier’s rights -were not more clearly defined there would be trouble among the owners. Air Alexander: You have had a long experience with the Natives of Kaitaia. We have heard from time to time suggestions that there would he difficulty in supervising the operations of the Natives unless the supervisors were persons of their own race. Have you found any difficulty in getting on well with the Natives? Witness: None whatever. Afr Alexander: One could say, then, that so long ns a supervisor is competent, firm, and just, the Natives are glad of the supervision ?—Yes; I can say that definitely. Mr Nelson asked if witness had been able to cany out properly his duties with regard to the properties mortgaged to the Native Trustee. “ I must say ‘ No,’ ” said witness. The commission then adjourned until to-morrow.