Licensed Interpreters.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 287, 16 April 1889, Page 3

Licensed Interpreters.

A correspondent in the Napier Telegraph

(writing under an assumed name) has worked himself into a violent passion over the appointment of licensed interpreters, on which subject he remarks :— The original intention of the Government in cancelling all licenses and re-issuing them on an improved basis wae a creditable one, and should have been a successful one, but alas 1 it wae in execution too much like the majority of the Government proposals—discreditable and unsucoes.ful. The licenses were to be cancelled with what object ’ to purge the ranks of certain undesirable members whose morals were doubtful, and whose knowledge of the Maori language was on an equal footing. And how has this been carried out ? Why shamefully I the re-issuing of the licenses being a disgraceful piece of jobbery, and one that could only have originated in the Department under whose control the matter was What do we find ’ Men granted their licenses without a word of enqui. y. who not only cannot speak the Maori larguage correctly, but have a very shady conception of their mother tongue; and, further, whose morals—well, simply they have not got any. But, by the bye, what constiiutes “ good moral character ” in the eyes of the powers that reign within that realm of mystery, the Native Department ? I ask the question ad visedly, for, taking as a criterion some of those to whom licenses were re-issued and others to whom they were refused, I should imagine the following was something of the style of question that should be put to candidates seeking a license :— Examiner: What is the whole duty of a licensed interpreter ? Candidate : To mislead, blind, and in every way take advantage of and swindle the dusky savage. Examiner; Have you carried this out ? Candidate : It has been my aim through life. Examiner : Do you strictly endeavor on all occasions to best your creditors 1 Candidates : In this branch lam particularly accomplished. Examiner: How many Maori wives have you had ’ Candidate: Well, that takes consideration. Let me see, there was—— Examiner: Don’t mind particularising; I suppose several. Candidate: Rather, Examiner: Have you father, brother, sister, cousin, or aunt in any big office in the Government? Candidate: Yes; my father is chief luminary in the wax and tape department; a great friend is a member. Examiner: Ah I that is quite sufficient. One more question ; can you pronounce and give meaning of the word tenakoe 1 Candidate : The question is ajsevere test; possibly I can grapple with it after an evening’s preparation. Examiner : Certainly, certainly; but being thoroughly acquainted with the Maori lanSis quite a minor matter. Your other cations are so high you can consider yourself passed with a first class certificate. This to be uninitiated, may seem exaggerated, but I can assure them it is not. What have we seen in the East Coast district alone 1 Licenses granted to persons who have actually been dismissed from Government positions because they were not capable of putting English into Maori or viol versa; others whose transactions in the matters of trust would not bear the light of day, and others from no recommendation than that they have ** friends in Court.” All of these are admitted without question, while on the other hand, several have applied whose moral character was beyond suspicion, and whose abilities as interpreters were publicly known to be of the highest order. Yet what reply did they receive ? 11 You will have to present yourself for examination.” They comply, and have to undergo an ordeal that I’ll wager not half of those who were granted licenses

would pass successfully. Not that I for a moment question theadvisability of an examination. Far from it; it is what it should be, but not for a few unfortunates only who have

no “ friends at Court,” but for all who make application for a license, and for this reason it is to be hoped Mr Carroll’s efforts in this direction will be successful, for then, and not until then, will be seen the termination of this detested jobbery, favoritism, and underhand influence, which are a disgrace to the Department and the colony. Another instance of this undesirable state of affairs is called to my mind. In a certain district there was a gentleman resident with his family wbo was the recognised interpreter for all Land Courts that sat in his district. He was a thoroughly competent man, and had occupied the above position for many years most satisfactorily. But it name to pass that another interpreter from afar takes it into his head to settle in the same district. He is not such a capable man as the old resident, but is in possession of what is of far more value—influence at head quarters. What is the result ? He is appointed to the first Court that comes along and the old and tried servant is bundled away on a moment's notice to a Court some three or four hundred miles away. His work occupied but a couple of weeks, and be returns to his home to find his successor still in harness, and likely to be tor some months, while he, the unfortunate, can walk the streets in search of work and learn the philosophy of being without a ” friend in Court,” But enough! lam weary of the theme. It is unpleasant, but only too true, and one of the many instances of the " rotten state of Denmark." Let us hope Mr Carroll’s proposals and the Interpreters’ Association may soon be a reality, and, perhaps, then we will see the last of this detestablejohbery in at least one Department of the N.Z. Government,