"No Difference Until Found out."

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 11 August 1891, Page 3

"No Difference Until Found out."

Mr Robert Ward, a Judge of the Native Land Court, does not appear to' fiave a very high opinion ac to the truthfulness of the Natives where their seltint6re9t is concerned. He asserts that though botli Europeans and Maoriea will swear falsely in Court, he has found that the European is ashamed when he is found out, while the Maori doea not care. He illustrated his meaning by the following little tale : -•• I found that one of the witnesses (in a Land Court) had/been making two or three entirely different statements within a few days. I therefore pointed oat these conflicting statements to the man, and asked him if he could explain them any way. I found that he could not. I said, "Is it not a fact that you are simply fabricating these statements ?" He hesitated for some time, and then, looking up, ho said, "Yes, I have." Then I said, "Nearly all these statements, then, are fabrications of youv own ?" " Yes," he answered. I asked, "Do you know the difference between speaking the truth and lying ?" He looked up, smiled, and said, "Thare is no difference at all until jou ore found out." In the course of a sitting . at Turakiria, Mr Ward had found one witness was making most untruthful statements, and stopping the examination abruptly told him to take' up his. hat and leave the Court. He did so. Another witness was duly sworn and being asked if he: knew the last witness, said, •' Oh, yes ! he is" the biggest liar in New Zealand." Yet, when this witness ljad talked a day or two, himself -he also was bowled out,- had id leave the Court!. The first witnjßsa had retarded and was highly pleased at the discomfiture of the man who had succeeded him in the witnejs-box.