NATIVE INTERPRETERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2583, 31 January 1889, Page 3

NATIVE INTERPRETERS.

FiIK Opot'tki Herald writing on this sub ject, says :— lt is therefore a matter of importance to us here that Native Inter preterm should possess other ijualificatioi s than that of being able to converse in the M'iori tongue, such as prohiy ami honesty, Disputes have arisen in the past through the incompetence of interpreters and their duties are uf sw'h an important character that μ-narantees of their ability and trustwor hiuesa should be necessary conditions to the attainment of Government licenses. It lias also been suggested as a meaus of promoting an accurate knowledge of the M-iori luiguage and to assist the Government in their laudable endeavour to discharge a duty it owes to the public, that those who may be the recipients of licenses should form an association, having representatives at the chief centres, for mutual protection, framing and adopting rules, &ti., and generally, in a spiiit of honourable competition, to sscuru a place in public estimation. An admission fee of two guineas and au annual subscription of onu guinea is proposed as sufficient to cover all expenses connected with such an association. With regard to the removal or disqualification of any member, the decision of the association would doubtless weigh with the Minister in issuing licenses, although it would not be desirable that a liceuse should bo cancelled without independent inquiry, say by a judjie of tile Supreme Court. One of the earliest steps to he taken by the association would be to represent to the Government tlio unfairness of appointing any olUei-il on the permanent staff of the Native Land Court to compete for private work with licensed ioterpret-.-rs. We commend the subject to the consideration of all those ivlio take an interest in the welfare and .si;cee,.sfnl s:ntt!;-meut of tl:« country, and the clliuii-iit administration uf the native land laws.