UNPAID NATIVE RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 65, 17 March 1928, Page 14

UNPAID NATIVE RATES.

POSITION OF COUNTIES.

WORK Or THE COMMISSION.

CONFERENCE AT WHANGAREI

A conference held at Whangarei between the Native Rates Consolidation Commission and the county representatives to discuss the question of the collection of outstanding native rates was presided over by Mr. Luke Webb, and members of the commission present were Sir Apirana Ngata, Messrs. R. H. Balnea vis, W. Cooper, V. Bell and O. A. Darbv.

Returns prepared by the county clerk showed that outstanding native rates in the county totalled £11.896. including £2309 for loan rates. The ratable value of native lands in 1927-1028 was £120,537.

A telegram from the Manconui County Council stated that that body had agreed not to accept less than one-third of the rates outstanding as at the end of the financial year, and proposed that a confprpnee should take place at Ohaeawai to discuss the matter.

The county chairman said it had been stated that the Bay of T«lnnds Council, which was the first local body approached by the Consolidation Commission. had accepted abont £I'.(H). If that was so it. was unwise, as the rates due there totalled a big amount. It would be worth while considering a conference.

Sir Apirana Ngata said he thought I certain lands would doubtless have been exempted from rates altogether, as had | done in the B«v of Plenty disrict. What was required was to ascertain what sum the council would accept in settlement of rates due until March this year and a further sum to cover rates for the next two years. Consolidation would result in natives having land in areas which they would be able to dispose of or finance in accordance. The Bay of Inlands Counts Council had been prepared to wipe out all the arrears, but the commission had allowed £1500 to to that county. Hokianga offered to settle for £6400, but the commissioner had met the natives previously and had found that some thought they should not pay rates at all. Finally the offer made to Hokianga was £3000, and it was felt the commisisoner could not go further. The Mangonui County Council was offered £1500 in settlement of about £12,000 of outstanding rates, with a promise of further consideration in a few years. Probably {he settlement with the Bay of Islands county was rather low, but as that body bad been prepared to wipe out arrears the amount of £1500 cbuld be regarded as a windfall. Accumulated rates in Mangonui county were higher than in Whangarei. and it was therefore thought that it would be fair to offer the Whanearei county from £1500 to £1750. The commission would be prepared later to consider a further amount to cover two years.

In reply to Mr. McDonald, Sir Apirana Ngata stated that consolidation would result in natives being placed on the same footing as Europeans in regard to liability for rates. Messrs. T. Porter and T. Steven bad expressed the opinion that £1750 was not enough, and the chairman moved that the council express willingness to accept £2000. This was lost by five votes to four, and it was then decided unanimously to accept the offer of £1750 as at March 31 of this year.