" Natives who successfully apply under the provisions of the Natives (Citizenship Rights) Act, 1944, are given a certificate which gives effect to s. 6 of that Act which states :— " Notwithstanding the provisions of the Native (Welfare) Act, 1905-1954, or any other Act the holder of a Certificate of Citizenship shall have all the rights, privileges and immunities and shall be subject to the duties and liabilities of a natural born or naturalised subject of His Majesty," which means that legally he is no longer a native, is not subject to legislation enacted specially for natives and does not for any purpose whatever come under the jurisdiction of the Native Welfare Department. The powers, functions and duties of all field officers, from District Officers to Patrol Officers, are basically similar. Those in charge of districts and sub-districts are responsible for the smooth administrative function of the areas under their control, the interpretation and administration of the Native Welfare Act and Regulations and the maintenance of an efficient office of the Department at the Headquarters from which they operate. Each officer is required to maintain contact with the natives of his administrative district and to do this be must be independently mobile. All districts and sub-districts are now equipped with motor vehicles for this purpose. As he acts as agent for natives in all facets of their physical, social and economic welfare, the field officer covers a wide range of duties and functions. As a matter of normal welfare responsibility he works in close co-operation with the Health, Education, Child Welfare and Legal Departments, confining himself strictly to the interests of native or natives concerned and refusing, however strong the pressure may be, to accept the role of the policeman, the health authority, the truancy officer or the prosecutor. Consequently, he is sometimes subjected to severe criticism by certain persons " with an axe to grind," but this must be regarded as being an occupational hazard, because he cannot afford to lose face with the native people he represents."
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 11:43:13 +0000